Six Nations hit with floods and snowstorm in one week
By Alex Murray Writer March came in with a roar and continued to blast last week when rain flooding roadways turned into snow packed icy roads. Early in the week road warning signs went up, small cabins at Chiefswood Park were flooded out and fields filled with water after melting ice pushed the Grand River over its banks Tuesday (March 10, 2026). But, by Friday snow covered the community when a winter blast hit, causing slippery and snow packed road conditions. The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) issued flood warnings and a flood watch alert to Six Nations and the City of Cambridge last week warning the public to use extreme caution around local waterways and to keep children and pets away from the waterways. Six Nations Police (SNP) said...
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Six Nations Grand River Development Trust approves $42,000 in funding for 4 local volunteer organizations
By Alex Murray Writer Grassroots volunteering is an important part of life for the Six Nations community. Volunteer organizations fill many needs, which is why the Six Nations of the Grand River Economic Development Trust (EDT) regularly approves funding for volunteer organizations and initiatives. The EDT recently approved $42,000 in funding to support four local grassroots volunteer organizations and initiatives on Six Nations in 2026. The four grassroots organizations were selected during a meeting of the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC)’s Economic Development Trust Committee on March 4, 2026. “Supporting grassroots initiatives is one of the most meaningful ways we can give back, and we’re proud that SNGRDC’s success allows us to continue investing in the people, programs, and organizations that make the Six Nations community...
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Brantford creating new Indigenous relations strategy
A new Indigenous relations and reconciliation strategy for the City of Brantford is beginning its public engagement phase and Six Nations leaders were among the first to hear about it. Tabitha Curley, owner of Fluid Consulting presented the city’s plan to Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) at its General Council meeting on March 10. She said part of the plan is to gather feedback from municipal staff, residents and Indigenous communities to help shape a potential reconciliation framework. Curley said Fluid Consulting and KLB Consulting were hired through a competitive bid process to lead the Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation strategy’s community engagement work. “We’ve been working with city staff… to design and lead a process where we will seek engagement from city staff [and] city residents about Indigenous relations,” she...
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Six Nations appoints new CEO
Six Nations former Chief Operating Officer (COO) is the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) made the announcement Monday March 3, the beginning of the March break. Debra Jonathan will take over the job effective Monday, March 23, 2026. She is a Six Nations band member. Jonathan took over as Chief Operating Officer nine months ago in June 2025. She has served as the Director of Well-Being, where SNEC said as Director of Well-Being she “was instrumental in strengthening the department and promoting community well-being.” She comes to the position with 20 years of experience including holding senior-level management experience at SNEC and the Inuit Health Branch, and Indigenous Services Canada. Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill said “Having had the opportunity to work along-side Debra for the...
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Cree singer fighting battle of AI image of her
By Alex Murray Writer Last month, Donita Large found an online article promoting her new album, The Ancestors. But she quickly noticed something was off: The featured photo was not of her but was instead an AI-generated image of what it posed as a stereotypical Indigenous woman. The prominent Cree singer-songwriter, who hails from Edmonton, is now speaking out about the generative AI wave affecting creatives the world over. The accompanying image, which we won’t share out of respect for Large, depicted what is supposed to be an Indigenous woman. “The image of the Indigenous woman posted on the website is not me,” Large said in a statement. “The title connecting to the image states ‘Donita Large releases the new album The Ancestors…’, which makes this misleading. False visual information,...
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Six Nations Elected Council: ISC programs to Greenbelt concerns
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) heard updates from its committees regarding service gaps and development at the General Council meeting on March 10. Councillor Greg Frazer gave the Well-Being Committee update as he chaired the last meeting in Councillor Amos Key Jr’s absence. His update was regarding a recent presentation from Abigail Hill, Wellbeing Liaison officer about the federal Auditor General’s report on Indigenous Services Canada programs. Councillor Frazer said the report highlighted significant shortcomings in federal services for First Nations communities. “The Auditor General had said that ISC made unsatisfactory progress with remote First Nations and health services,” Councillor Frazer said. His report said remote communities require additional support and funding. The report also found that federal programs addressing oral health for First Nations had not been properly evaluated....
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Editorial: Reconciliation or delay???
The city of Brantford is creating a new “Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation” strategy. It’s supposed to be a strategy aimed at improving relations between the city of Brantford and Six Nations of the Grand River. And it will be a wonder if it happens. Let’s be frank. Any relationship that has existed between the two has been more than testy over the decades, if in fact there even is a relationship. And having lunch with the mayor is hardly a relationship. What there is, is a “relationship” based on centuries of history blighted by stolen lands, discrimination and economic loss. It’s a relationship that saw Six Nations children taken from residential school to work as servants and gardeners for Brantford residents. The relationship between the Six Nations of the Grand...
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Today in History
March 15 In 1973, Indigenous people in Alberta won a settlement of nearly $200,000 in so-called “ammunition money” because an 1877 treaty stipulated they should have been paid $2,000 annually. March 17 In 2020, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency over COVID-19, ordering the closure of bars, restaurants, theatres and libraries. Alberta and British Columbia made similar declarations, while the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs declared a state of emergency for 62 First Nations, closing reserve borders to non-essential travel. March 18 In 2019, the country’s top bureaucrat announced he would retire as clerk of the Privy Council. Michael Wernick said in a statement there was no path for a “relationship of mutual trust’’ if the Conservatives or N-D-P form the next government. Former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould...
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Six Nations Farmers Association want $75,000 for white corn project
The Six Nations Farmers Association appeared before the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) at the General Finance Committee meeting on Monday (March 16) to request $75,000 for its long-running white corn project. It’s an initiative organizers say remains essential to food security, cultural continuity and community sharing. Ruby Jacobs told SNEC the project, which operates on roughly 35 acres, continues to meet steady demand across the territory. “The need for it is still there,” she said. “Last year, the years before there, it’s been quite a success. There’s that everything’s got planted, everything got used up at the end of the season.” The project grows both white and flint corn and provides traditional food to longhouses, schools and community members. She said the initiative traces its roots back to the...
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Former pros and premier Ford attend Little NHL ceremony
By Sam Laskaris Writer Hundreds of Six Nations families are spending a good chunk of their March Break at GTA hockey rinks. That’s because about 20 local clubs are participating at this year’s Little Native Hockey League tournament. The event, often simply called the Little NHL, began on Sunday and continues until Thursday. A record-breaking 271 clubs from across Ontario are participating in what has become the province’s largest First Nations youth hockey tournament. Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, located on Manitoulin Island, is serving as the host First Nation of this year’s tournament. Games are primarily being held in Markham. Rinks at nearby communities are also being utilized for some matches. A tournament kickoff event in Unionville on Sunday featured various former National Hockey League players, local and provincial politicians as...
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Six Nations Stars qualify for provincials in their first year of Senior C action
By Sam Laskaris Writer It’s already been a rather successful season for the Six Nations Stars. And it could get considerably better next month for the local senior women’s hockey squad. The Stars are a first-year squad that competes in the 24-team South Western Ontario Women’s Hockey League (SWOWHL). Despite being a first-year entry, the Six Nations club has enjoyed plenty of success in its own league playoffs and has qualified for the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) championships. The Stars are one of 20 clubs that will participate in the Senior C category at the provincials, which will be held Apr. 9-12 at various rinks throughout the GTA. The Six Nations team is currently riding a nine-game unbeaten streak. It didn’t lose a game in February and hasn’t tasted...
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SPORTS BRIEFS: Six Nations squad advances to league playoffs
By Sam Laskaris Writer Bears and Snipers to battle in ALL playoffs It’s guaranteed that a Six Nations squad will be advancing to the Final Four of this year’s Arena Lacrosse League playoffs. That’s because the Ohsweken Bears and Six Nations Snipers, who placed fourth and fifth, respectively in the league’s regular season standings, will be squaring off in a playoff contest this Sunday. That match will be staged at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). The opening faceoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. The winner of the Bears/Snipers contest will move on to the ALL’s semi-finals the following weekend. The Bears and Snipers posted identical 7-7 regular season records. The clubs split their two matchups this season but the Ohsweken side was awarded a higher regular season finish based on...
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Minister tours Kashechewan water plant amid ongoing water crisis
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com KASHECHEWAN – Federal officials and First Nations leaders visited Kashechewan First Nation as the community continues to deal with a water emergency that forced hundreds of residents to evacuate. According to a post from the Assembly of First Nations, Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty toured the community’s water treatment plant alongside Chief Hosea Wesley on Monday (March 16). Also attending the visit were Fort Albany First Nation Chief Robert Nakogee and Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chief Alvin Fiddler. Later in the day, Leo Friday joined leaders for a meeting at the local school. TimminsToday reached out to Indigenous Services Canada and Kashechewan First Nation, but has not received a response. In its post, the Assembly of First Nations said leaders emphasized the need...
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Millions of dollars in work for ‘absolute lifeline’ to First Nations
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com CAT LAKE — Several winter road construction projects have received provincial funding, and one First Nations council manager says those corridors continue to be crucial lifelines. Jonathan Salo is the technical unit manager at Windigo First Nations Council. The organization provides a number of social, economic development and other services to seven Indigenous communities, most of which are remote. “Just from a cost perspective, like the costs for goods and materials in our communities is, I would say, not fathomable for most people,” he said. “I know there’s a lot of complaints about the cost in grocery stores and the cost of fuel and gas for everyone, but it’s definitely far worse and far more expensive in our communities.” That cost, he...
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March Sees Decline in Suspected Overdoses in Brantford
By Alex Murray Writer BRANTFORD, ONT- The Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) has issued a community wide warning after a recent spate of drug overdoses in the Brantford area. GEPH said the increase in drug overdoses came over the final two weeks of February based on data from the Brantford Police Service (BPS). The increase continuing across a second week triggered the GEPH to issue a community warning. From February 16 to 22, there were seven non-fatal overdoses in the Brantford area. The next week, from February 23 to March 1, there were 10, five of which occurred on the same day on February 27. According to the GEPH, those numbers are above what is typical for such a short timeframe. The 17 total non-fatal overdoses from February 16 to...
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Nature groups warn federal funding cuts endangering efforts to protect land, water
By Nick Murray Some of Canada’s most prominent conservation groups say Ottawa is putting at risk its goals to protect nearly one-third of Canada’s land and waterways, with tens of millions of dollars in federal funding about to run out. Canada has committed to protecting 30 per cent of its terrestrial and coastal areas by 2030 and was only about halfway to that target by the end of 2024. The commitment was reinforced by the Liberal election platform and the speech from the throne delivered by King Charles last May. In a letter sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney last week, the heads of four environmental advocacy groups said the lack of clarity on whether the funding will be renewed has created uncertainty for people working in the conservation sector....
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From Attawapiskat to Latvia: Soldier happy to be home after 6-month deployment
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com TIMMINS – Growing up in Attawapiskat First Nation, Nigel Nakogee spent much of his time outdoors. Hunting geese and moose, snaring rabbits, and camping were regular parts of life. “I’m a bit of a hunter,” he told TimminsToday. “I hunted a lot growing up. Pretty much camped during my teenage years.” Those early experiences on the land eventually helped shape his path into the military. Nakogee, now 24, serves as an infanteer with the Algonquin Regiment in Timmins. In November, he returned from a six-month deployment in Latvia as part of Rotation 2502. He left in June and returned home in November. While the six months felt long at times, the experience was rewarding. “In the moment, it felt really long, but it...
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Opening date for Manitoba’s first drug consumption site up in the air: Kinew
By Brittany Hobson The Manitoba government is walking back comments that a supervised drug consumption site could open soon, with Premier Wab Kinew saying the province is taking some time to get things right. Kinew told reporters Monday that he couldn’t provide a timeline for when the long-promised facility would open, because his government is working with a local service provider to determine how users will be connected to treatment, recovery or social service options. It could take months for a network of services to be set up, he said. “I want it to be a serious health-care facility staffed by high functioning, high achieving health-care folks who understand not just the cultural and community context, but also everything that the evidence and that their experience and practice would show...
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Councillor Espey triumphs at Arnold Sports Festival
By Renee Lilley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Portage Graphic Leader A Portage la Prairie city councillor and veteran arm wrestler has returned from one of the world’s largest strength competitions with a trio of medals and a renewed focus on a world title. Ryan Espey secured two gold medals and one silver at the Arnold Sports Festival, held recently in Columbus, Ohio. Competing in the event for roughly the sixth time since 2001, Espey claimed the top spot in the left-arm open division — the professional class — and gold in the masters left-arm category for competitors aged 40 and older. He rounded out his performance with a silver medal in the right-arm masters division. “It was overwhelming,” Espey said of the festival, which sees approximately 250,000 attendees pass through...
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First Nation to host wellness, trauma workshop with help from former NHL star
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca PROPHET RIVER, B.C. — Trauma and grief suffered by the Indigenous community will be at the forefront of a wellness event hosted by Prophet River First Nation (PRFN). Scheduled for several days next week, the free wellness, trauma and grief workshop will take place at the school on the PRFN reservation. It will be hosted by Brayden Morton, who serves as PRFN’s deputy director of wellness. Morton can relate to the struggles of addiction and told Energeticcity.ca he’s been sober for 11 years. “As addicts, we want to quit,” said Morton. “There is always a side of us that does want to quit. It’s just about taking the action steps to get to that place.” Joining Morton will be former National Hockey...
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