Scuba diver maintains new bubbler in Shoal Lake
By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brandon Sun SHOAL LAKE — The new aeration system at Shoal Lake received some underwater repairs last week when a team of environmental specialists scuba dived to maintain bubblers on the lakebed. The new field of 18 bubblers off the shoreline on the east side of the lake were calibrated by technicians from AAE Tech Services during two hours of diving last week Monday. Technicians got their first underwater look at the bubblers that were installed last year in order to adjust the equipment to best promote fish health. The company’s founder, Mark Lowdon, told the Sun that it’s an annual caretaking job to ensure the equipment oxygenates the lake evenly. The equipment counteracts environmental conditions at Shoal Lake. “We are basically just...
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New Indigenous languages commissioner says her job is to support incoming leadership
By Alessia Passafiume The interim head of the Indigenous languages commission, which is now facing a federal audit, says her job is to support new leadership to ensure a fresh start for the institution. Candice St-Aubin, who left her job as a senior federal public servant to take on the interim commissioner’s role, said on social media it’s deeply meaningful work that “asks much of the mind, heart and spirit.” “I do not approach this work as temporary. The responsibility to support the preservation, revitalization, and strengthening of Indigenous languages in Canada does not pause while institutional processes continue,” St-Aubin wrote. “While the formal process will determine the leadership team that follows, I see my role as helping support those who will welcome them and ensuring they can begin their...
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Dene Nation and Alberta Treaty 8 First Nations unite to defend water rights
By Kody Ferron, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yellowknifer The Dene Nation and Alberta Treaty 8 First Nations are teaming up to defend the water rights of Alberta and the NWT. On July 29, the Dene Nation announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Woodland Cree First Nation of Treaty 8 territory and the Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta. The MOU, according to the Dene Nation’s announcement, creates a formal partnership to protect the groups’ treaty water rights. The groups say that the MOU will be renewed annually to ensure it continues to be effective in its goals, including creating Indigenous-led water monitoring and stewardship throughout the Mackenzie River Basin, creating shared environmental databases and expanding the role of Indigenous knowledge and jurisdiction in the...
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N.B. RCMP admit to unintentionally starting house fire with tear gas caniste
By Eli Ridder New Brunswick RCMP say they unintentionally caused a house fire during a standoff last year. The Mounties say they used a tear-gas canister that ignited after landing inside a home in Kingsclear First Nation in April 2025. An RCMP spokesperson only confirmed the house fire after a media request, as it was not included in a news release at the time. The RCMP statement from 2025 only said the Upper Kingsclear Fire Department and public safety attended the scene. Police say they used the tear gas to draw out a man who had barricaded himself inside the residence and was firing a weapon towards responding officers. The RCMP said last year a 34-year-old man was arrested and charged with 16 counts of attempted murder and firing at...
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Nunavut does not have its own immigration pathway, despite acute labour shortages
By Shilpashree Jagannathan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, New Canadian Media Unlike every other jurisdiction in Canada, the northern territory of Nunavut does not have its own immigration pathway to recruit newcomers, despite persistent labour shortages and a skills mismatch between available talent and job vacancies. Foreign nationals who want to live and work in Nunavut must rely instead on federal pathways like Express Entry or a temporary work permit tied to a specific job offer, according to the Government of Nunavut’s own website. NCM began looking into this gap after noticing a footnote in the Premiers’ joint communiqué from their July 22 Council of the Federation meeting in Charlottetown — a document otherwise focused on pushing Ottawa for more control over economic immigration — revealing that Nunavut has no nominee...
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Six Nations Police seize cocaine, two facing charges
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER-Six Nations Police (SNP) have arrested a Six Nations man and a Brantford woman after executing four search warrants related to a drug trafficking investigation. The SNP Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) executed four search warrants under Section 11 of the Controlled Drugs & Substances Act.on Tuesday (July 28) on multiple vehicles, a Dundas Street property in Brantford and a Six Nations property on Highway 54 near Chiefswood Road. SNP said one adult male was taken into custody without incident, while an adult female was later arrested and charged. Police seized about 307 grams of cocaine, about $15,000 in currency, and one imitation firearm as a result of the searches. Jayme Christopher Hill, 37, of Ohsweken, was charged with possession for the purposes of trafficking...
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More than 80 wildfires extinguished in Ontario in past two weeks: minister
Natural Resources Minister Mike Harris says the wildfire situation in northern Ontario is moving in a reassuring direction as more than 80 fires have been extinguished in the past two weeks. He says 159 wildfires are still raging, with 30 burning out of control. The minister says more than 150 Ontario fire crews are working to suppress fires, aided by recent rainy cool weather and the arrival of more than 100 firefighters from Mexico earlier this week. Emergency Preparedness Minister Jill Dunlop says 14 communities have evacuated due to the wildfires, though five have now returned home and another community is in the process of returning. She says more than 2,000 people remain displaced from their communities. The province has faced calls for a public inquiry into its wildfire response...
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Manitoba First Nation takes province, Canada to court following power outage
By Brittany Hobson Hundreds of people remain displaced more than six months after some residents of a northern Manitoba First Nation were forced to evacuate because of a power outage that led to severe water damage. More than 4,000 members of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, also known as Cross Lake, left the community after it suffered a days-long power outage at the end of last year, resulting in frozen water systems, sewer backups, electrical issues and burst pipes. Chief David Monias says 650 people have not been able to return because work still needs to be done on 180 homes deemed uninhabitable, while another 35 homes need to be replaced. Monias has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro, the province and the Attorney General of Canada on behalf...
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Province cites ‘lack of stable housing’ in Squamish following concerns about overstaying campers on Crown land
By Ina Pace, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Squamish Chief The SLRD had requested ‘enhanced provincial oversight’ for campers exceeding their maximum allowed stay on Crown land, including the Squamish Valley. Sea to Sky governments have long been concerned about environmental hazards from squatting campers, yet they’re aware some may have limited choice. On March 20, the Squamish-Lilooet Regional District (SLRD) chair Jen Ford wrote to the province for help monitoring overnight campers, who were literally outstaying their welcome on Crown land. The SLRD is looking to mitigate risks of environmental and cultural damage, such as that from wildfires caused by campers, in areas of “intensified impact.” These areas, which are technically outside the SLRD’s control, are Anderson Lake, the Squamish Valley, WedgeWoods and Wedge Forest Service Road, and Cheakamus...
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Bearspaw First Nation looking to strengthen relationship with Calgary
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook ÎYÂRHE NAKODA – Bearspaw First Nation is looking to bolster its relationship with neighbouring City of Calgary. Plans to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would lay the foundation for future collaboration between Bearspaw and the city were set in motion at a July 16 Calgary council meeting. “These memorandums of understanding … set the framework, the map so to speak, for us to be able to continue on the journey of more substantive developments,” said Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas in a scrum following the meeting where council unanimously voted in favour of pursuing the agreement. “Things like mutual interest in economic developments, potentially shared service provision.” While the MOU is not legally binding, it serves as a commitment...
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Residents seek moratorium on Toronto data centres, as Mississauga approves pause
By Elissa Mendes Some Toronto residents are demanding a one-year moratorium on two proposed data centre projects, as a neighbouring city has voted to block any such new developments for a year. Councillors in Mississauga, Ont., voted Wednesday in favour of a data centre moratorium while the city studies their impact and how they would be regulated. The city will also consult residents, Indigenous Peoples and the industry. On the same day, protesters gathered outside Toronto City Hall ahead of a multi-day council meeting that’s expected to weigh motions seeking a closer look at the impacts of two data centre projects in the city’s Etobicoke and Scarborough areas. Chanting and holding up signs, demonstrators emphasized the climate implications of the proposed data centre projects, especially as Toronto has been enduring...
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Alberta ‘settled on Ontario-like structure’ for online gambling, says industry analyst
By David Boles, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, St. Albert Gazette Alberta’s regulated online gambling market is now live, opening the door to a new industry that analysts say could generate significant revenue while raising questions about consumer protections and gambling addiction. The market officially launched July 13 after legislation passed by the Alberta government earlier this year. While nearly 50 operators have registered ,Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally said, fewer than half were ready to begin offering services when the market opened. Industry analysts say Alberta’s model closely mirrors Ontario’s — the only other Canadian province with a regulated competitive online gambling market — giving the province a roadmap for both the financial opportunities and the regulatory challenges ahead. “They’re very similar structures,” said Geoff Zochodne,...
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$7 million worth of federal renewable energy funding going to projects in six Nunavut communities, one in NWT, and two in Yukon
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News The federal government is putting $7 million into eight renewable energy projects across Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Minister of Environment Julie Dabrusin made the announcement on July 29 in Whitehorse. Planning and construction of a future wind power development in Baker Lake received $1.4 million, which includes tests for windmill operations in Chesterfield Inlet and Whale Cove. Inuit-owned Nunasi Corporation received the federal contract for the project, which uses a portable wind speed measurement device to determine the feasibility of wind power in the communities. Solar panel installation on Chesterfield Inlet’s Noel Nuvak Arena received $729,434. The money will go to the Hamlet of Chesterfield Inlet, which installed a 134-kilowatt solar array on the roof of the rink....
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Six Nations Police seize cocaine in Highway 54 property search
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- A Six Nations man and a Brantford woman are facing drug trafficking charges after a Six Nations Police (SNP) raid on a property on Highway 54. The SNP Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) launched the drug trafficking investigation Tuesday (July 28) executing four search warrants under Section 11 of the Controlled Drugs & Substances Act. SNP officers executed the search warrants on multiple vehicles as well as a Dundas Street property in Brantford and a Six Nations property on Highway 54 near Chiefswood Road. SNP said one adult male was taken into custody without incident, while an adult female was arrested and charged later. Police seized about 307 grams of cocaine, about $15,000 in currency, and one imitation firearm as a result of the searches....
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Memorandum of understanding and official community plan included in gathering in Sun Peaks
By Hollie Ferguson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Wren Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality hosted a gathering July 20 with leadership from local First Nations, the provincial government and local stakeholders to discuss a variety of topics, including a memorandum of understanding, cultural acknowledgements and the Sun Peaks 2026 Official Community Plan. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Adams Lake Indian Band, Neskonlith Indian Band and Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw as well as the provincial Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport and the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. Neither Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality or Sun Peaks Resort LLP were signatories on the memorandum. “The renewed [memorandum of understanding] will continue to guide discussions on a collaborative, coordinated and sustainable approach to stewardship of land and...
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Bill C-21 delay won’t halt Red River Métis self-government, MMF says
By Aaron Walker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com Officials of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) say their pursuit of self-government continues despite Parliament’s summer adjournment delaying legislation to implement its governance treaty. The House of Commons adjourned before Bill C-21, the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Act, could receive second reading. While supporters view the legislation as another milestone in the Red River Métis’ decades-long pursuit of self-government, several First Nations leaders say questions remain about consultation, treaty rights and jurisdiction. For MMF President David Chartrand, however, the legislation represents only one step in a much broader effort to build the institutions of self-government — an effort he says continues regardless of Parliament’s legislative timetable. Introduced in the House of Commons on Feb. 12, the legislation known as...
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Sitting along Hwy. 400 ‘our community members are at risk,’ says Parry Sound Friendship Centre ahead of human trafficking workshop
By Shania Tabobondung Local Journalism Initiative reporter ParrySound.com. On July 30, the Parry Sound Friendship Centre will host a community presentation on human trafficking and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). The event, led by antihuman trafficking expert Suzanne Smoke, is raising awareness and equipping the community with resources to fight human trafficking. Smoke is an Anishinaabe Kwe (woman), a member of Mississauga’s of Rice Lake and Alderville First Nation and she sits with the Bear Clan. “I have worked in antihuman trafficking and sexual assault for past nine years in a professional capacity. And as an Auntie and Knowledge Keeper, I have been hearing and listening and supporting disclosures in our lodges for over 30 years,” Smoke said. The presentation coincides with the United Nations’...
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Separation petition clears signature threshold, but court fight continues
By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Shootin’ the Breeze A citizen initiative petition proposing a referendum on Alberta becoming an independent country has been declared successful after Elections Alberta verified enough signatures to satisfy the requirements of the Citizen Initiative Act. The agency announced Friday that statistical verification estimated 222,597 valid signatures from an initial submission of 286,593 signatures, surpassing the required minimum of 177,732. Despite the successful verification, the process cannot move forward until the courts decide an appeal stemming from an earlier ruling that quashed the petition. The petition, titled A Referendum Relating to Alberta Independence, asks whether Alberta “should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state.” It was organized by proponent Mitch Sylvestre. Chief electoral officer Gordon McClure determined the petition...
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FedNor flows $90,360 into Latchford dam project
By Sue Nielsen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker LATCHFORD — The hard work to turn the Latchford power dam into a power producing facility has been electrified by a $90,360 FedNor funding boost. Latchford, Coleman Township, the Timiskaming First Nation (TFN) and the Teme Augama Anishinabek are all involved in the project’s development. Provided through the FedNor Northern Ontario Development Program, this non-repayable funding will be used to hire a project coordinator to update a feasibility study and concept design to confirm the project is economically viable and ready to proceed, said information in a FedNor press release. The project was the brainchild of the Communities of the Montreal River Power Corporation group, made up of former Latchford mayor George Lefebvre, Coleman Township Mayor Dan Cleroux, project coordinator Jeff...
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Dene Nation frustrated by GNWT’s ‘diluted’ approach to Indigenous procurement policy
By Kody Ferron, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yellowknifer The Dene Nation is expressing its “profound disappointment and frustration” in the GNWT’s failure to implement an Indigenous procurement policy. In 2021, an independent panel made recommendations to the GNWT to revise and better implement its Indigenous procurement policy. As of July 2026, the GNWT has announced that it will not implement any such policy. Instead, it has modified its definition of an Indigenous business and has scrapped plans to implement an Indigenous procurement policy entirely. On July 28, the Dene Nation expressed its deep disappointment in the GNWT for its decision to abandon plans for a proper Indigenous procurement policy — something First Nations in the NWT have been championing for years. “The Dene Nation, led by National Chief George Mackenzie,...
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