Truth and Reconciliation Week invites everyone to listen
By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Shootin’ the Breeze The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation invites Canadians to spend the week before Sept. 30 learning, listening and reflecting during Truth and Reconciliation Week. A five-day online series runs Sept. 21 to 25, and is open to anyone wanting to learn more about the history and legacy of residential schools ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Each day brings a lunch-and-learn webinar with survivors, Indigenous leaders, artists, elders and other knowledge keepers speaking. The webinars run about an hour, ending with a question period between the moderator and guests. The webinars start at 11 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with a noon start on Thursday. There are two sessions on Tuesday, with the first...
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Staffing problems stall federal investigations of missing and killed Native people
By Sarah Raza And Savannah Peters SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Peter Martin went missing two years ago from the Fond du Lac reservation in Minnesota. His family hasn’t stopped looking, but they say the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs investigation into Martin’s disappearance has stalled since the agent assigned to the case left the role in early 2025. “They’ve never had a person take his space for this region and yeah, we haven’t heard from them since,” said family friend Kayla Jackson. The bureau’s Missing and Murdered Unit was created in 2021 to address the crisis of violence against Native Americans and put new resources toward solving cold cases. But a recent federal audit by the Interior Department’s internal watchdog found staffing issues have plagued the unit since its...
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First Nations youth continue fight over Carney’s major projects agenda, summit
By Alessia Passafiume As Canadian politicians were pitching their major projects plans to foreign investors at a first-of-its-kind summit in Toronto, First Nations youth in Ottawa were making a pitch to Canadians on why they should join the fight to stop them. Jeronimo Kataquapit and his cousin Ramon had just returned from a weeks-long journey on the coast of James Bay, a body of water that straddles Quebec and Ontario at the southern tip of the Hudson Bay. Jeronimo called it “hardcore camping,” where he, Ramon and his parents roughed it on the shorelines, spotting polar bears, flocks of geese and caribou along the way. The trip wasn’t for rest and relaxation for the family from Attawapiskat First Nation. It was part of their ongoing efforts to leave physical traces...
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What the missing winter road could mean for Bathurst caribou
By Eshana Gohil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio For the first time in decades, the Bathurst caribou herd will spend a winter without the Tibbitt-Contwoyto winter road passing through areas used by the animals. The road, used for decades to resupply diamond mines north of Yellowknife, is not being planned for the 2027 season after mine operators said they do not currently require it. Camps will be placed into care and maintenance, with a 2028 road considered more likely. For the Bathurst herd, estimated at just 3,609 animals in 2025 according to the Northwest Territories government, the absence of hundreds of kilometres of winter road traffic could provide a rare reprieve. The herd has declined dramatically from an estimated 470,000 animals in 1986. Its population was estimated at between...
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Nunavut non-profit receives $5.5 million from Australian mining company’s charitable arm
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News A non-profit organization that funds Inuit-led initiatives in Nunavut, called Annauma Community Foundation, received $5.5 million from Australian group BHP Foundation. Annauma will give out 40 per cent of that money in community grants over the next three years, attendees of the Nunavut Trade Show were told at Iqaluit’s Aqsarniit Hotel on Sept. 15. “We would be doing a disservice to community if one year we only had $500,000 and the next year we had $3 million. So that’s why we spread that across three years, so we can maintain stability, said Danielle Gibbie, executive director of the Annauma Community Foundation. Long-term funding from Annauma goes towards the traditional sewing organization Agguaq Collective in Rankin Inlet, youth group Red Fish...
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Controversial comments dominating municipal election discourse
By Pam Fedack, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kenora Miner & News A Kenora resident is calling out some individuals running in Kenora’s 2026 municipal election, and calling on the candidates to make their positions clear on whether or not to return Anicinabe Park to three area First Nations. Tania Cameron, an Indigenous activist with close ties to the community, took to social media earlier in the month to argue the incoming council could play a significant role in deciding whether the city continues fighting the claim in court. Cameron first issued an open letter asking candidates to outline their views on the park, reconciliation, Indigenous economic partnerships, policing and the social issues facing Kenora. Since then, subsequent posts made on social media by her and others have called the positions...
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New federal climate reports chart a warmer, wetter and less predictable future
By Jacqueline St.Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Manitoulin Expositor Raises questions about whether communities are ready MANITOULIN—Canada has traditionally advised its communities, infrastructure and institutions around the promise of a relatively stable climate. Now, the climate is changing faster than the machinery of government was built to respond to it. A sweeping new federal scientific assessment released September 3 finds that some of the changes subliminally sensed by many are already underway in Canada’s climate and are effectively irreversible within the boundaries of human timescales. The 2026 National Adaptation Strategy Report alongside the federal 2026 National Adaptation Strategy Progress Report released by the federal government on September 3, — ts second revision since 2019—elicited the following comment from Ryan Ness, Director of Adaptation at the Canadian Climate Institute “Ottawa’s...
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‘Indian Hospital’ survivor engagement session planned for Kenora
By Pam Fedack, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kenora Miner & News Federal Indian Hospital survivors and their families in the Kenora area will have a chance to help shape a new foundation to support healing and wellness for generations to come. According to the Government of Canada, an “Indian hospital” refers to a range of racially segregated institutions where some First Nations, Métis, and Inuit were sent for medical treatment. Some hospitals were located in or near Indigenous communities, and others in urban areas. The closest Indian Hospital to Kenora was the Sioux Lookout Indian Hospital, which opened in 1949 and operated until 1996. The next closest was the Squaw Bay Indian Hospital, which operated out of Thunder Bay. An engagement session for survivors is planned for Friday, Sept. 11...
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‘Key drivers of Ontario’s energy future’: Kenora—Rainy River Indigenous energy projects to share $3.2M
By Pam Fedack, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kenora Miner & News From solar installations to community energy planning and skills training, 15 projects across Kenora—Rainy River will receive more than $3.2 million in provincial funding. Kenora—Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford, Ontario’s minister of Indigenous affairs and First Nations economic reconciliation, announced the investment in Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The projects were selected through the 2025 intake of the Indigenous Energy Support Program, administered by the Independent Electricity System Operator. Applications for the program’s 2026 intake are now open. Grand Council Treaty #3 is receiving $655,000, the largest allocation announced. The money will fund a community energy champion to coordinate local energy planning and projects. It will also support Treaty #3 energy engagement and capacity building, the development...
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Staffing problems stall federal investigations of missing and killed Native people
By Sarah Raza And Savannah Peters SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Peter Martin went missing two years ago from the Fond du Lac reservation in Minnesota. His family hasn’t stopped looking, but they say the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs investigation into Martin’s disappearance has stalled since the agent assigned to the case left the role in early 2025. “They’ve never had a person take his space for this region and yeah, we haven’t heard from them since,” said family friend Kayla Jackson. The bureau’s Missing and Murdered Unit was created in 2021 to address the crisis of violence against Native Americans and put new resources toward solving cold cases. But a recent federal audit by the Interior Department’s internal watchdog found staffing issues have plagued the unit since its...
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Open house planned for Lorrain Valley solar farm
By Joe O’Grady, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker TEMISKAMING SHORES – Area residents will have a chance to learn more and voice their opinions on a planned solar farm southeast of Haileybury during a public open house upstairs at the Shelley Herbert-Shea Memorial Arena on September 21. Neoen Ontario Solar 3 Inc., a partnership between Neoen and Matachewan First Nation, is proposing to develop a 50-megawatt solar farm at Paradis Bay, about 30 kilometres south of Haileybury on the Lorrain Valley Road. The project will include power conversion stations, a substation, an electrical collection system, access roads, perimeter fencing, operations and maintenance buildings on private land. During the public meeting, interested residents can “meet project staff and technical experts, ask questions, share your thoughts, and enjoy local refreshments,” Neoen...
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Between 50 and 70 employees will work at Aqqusariaq Nunavut Recovery Centre
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) said it’s hoping all staff at the Aqqusariaq Nunavut Recovery Centre in Iqaluit will be Inuit. Between 50 and 70 employees will work at the territory’s first addictions, trauma and mental health treatment centre. So far, only the executive director of Aqqusariaq has been hired, with Annie Aningmiuq being tapped for the top job. “Positions will slowly start to be posted for the public and will be advertised via various media outlets,” said Annie Thomlinson, director of communications at NTI. For now, 46 positions have been confirmed for the facility. The therapeutic program will have 18 employees, including positions in case management, cultural programming, continuing care, outpatient services, nursing and social work. There will be 12...
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Two candidates so far in the running for mayor
By Kody Ferron, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yellowknifer The race for the top job in Yellowknife is up to two as of Wednesday. Cochrane, who’s currently serving as a city councillor, was the first one to announce his candidacy and said he thinks he’s the right person for the job. “I believe Yellowknife deserves a city that gets the fundamentals right, spends responsibility and plans for the long term, and I think I’m the person who can do that,” he said. Cochrane is a born-and-raised Yellowknifer, a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and its Metis. He said his background gives him a unique ability to understand and address Yellowknife’s needs, if elected mayor. He’s also been deputy mayor and chair of the city’s heritage committee. “I’m incredibly in touch, not...
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New poll: Nova Scotia government’s approval rating has recovered from recent plunge
By Devin Stevens A new poll suggests the approval rating for Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston’s government has partially recovered from the plunge it took following a round of big budget cuts in February. The online survey from Abacus Data shows that 35 per cent of those surveyed said they approved of the government’s performance, up five percentage points from July. About 44 per cent of respondents indicated their approval of the government in January, but that support plunged to 31 per cent in May, three months after the government tabled a budget that cut more than $300 million in spending. Protests followed and the premier eventually reinstated $53 million in grant reductions, most of which were for people with disabilities and seniors, as well as African Nova Scotians and...
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Staffing problems stall federal investigations of missing and killed Native people
By Sarah Raza And Savannah Peters SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Peter Martin went missing two years ago from the Fond du Lac reservation in Minnesota. His family hasn’t stopped looking, but they say the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs investigation into Martin’s disappearance has stalled since the agent assigned to the case left the role in early 2025. “They’ve never had a person take his space for this region and yeah, we haven’t heard from them since,” said family friend Kayla Jackson. The bureau’s Missing and Murdered Unit was created in 2021 to address the crisis of violence against Native Americans and put new resources toward solving cold cases. But a recent federal audit by the Interior Department’s internal watchdog found staffing issues have plagued the unit since its...
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If Alberta leaves Canada, it will need up to $170B and 70,000 civil servants: report
By Jack Farrell An report commission by the Alberta government says if the province wants to separate from Canada, it will have to shell out up $170 billion and hire 70,000 civil servants to do it. The report from the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy says the minimum cost would be $50 billion over the first five years of transition, topping out at $170 billion. The money would cover building new infrastructure, hiring staff to manage and oversee the transition, and cover Alberta’s portion of the federal debt. Separation, states the report, “involves far more than just drawing new borders and building a new state, picking new politicians and deciding on new policies. “It completely changes how public services, trade, taxes and laws work.” Premier Danielle Smith’s government...
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Six Nations Fall Fair 157 years of fun!
Six Nations Fair: Miss Six Nations celebrates 80 years By Dakota Brant Writer Six Nations has a new royal family! Five new Ambassadors were crowned during the 157th Annual Six Nations Fall Fair this past weekend. In front of a packed community hall audience First Nations Technical Institute student Lacey John, 25, was crowned the new Miss Six Nations. Joining the 2026-2027 Six Nations Ambassador family are: Sophia Ellis Little Miss Six Nations; Kesli Hill Miss Mini Six Nations; Emree Bradley is Miss Preteen Six Nations, who also walked away with the Theresa Mt. Pleasant Leadership Award for Highest Points Overall. The new Miss Teen Six Nations is Assumption College student Raynee Smith who impressed judges for overcoming a broken ankle and crutches as she graced the stage. First Miss...
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Environmental assessments hold up community lands
Two Six Nations properties going through the federal Additions to Reserve process continue to move forward, although funding received for required environmental assessments fell short of the amount requested. Councillor Cynthia Jamieson, chair of the Lands, Resources, Wealth and Economy Committee, provided an update during Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Council meeting on September 8 Jamieson said Tayler Hill, Lands and Resources Assistant Director at Six Nations Lands and Resources, addressed the committee’s standing Additions to Reserve (ATR) agenda item and said funding for environmental assessments required for the properties is the biggest issue. “They had put in for an application for dollars for the environmental assessments that had to be done, and they received, some, but not all of the requested amount,” Jamieson said. The funding is aimed...
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Hydro One Forestry to patrol electrical distribution lines
Hydro One Forestry will conduct a three-day visual patrol of electrical distribution lines on Six Nations. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) passed a motion to allow Hydro One to identify vegetation and tree hazards that could interfere with hydro service at its General Council meeting on September 8. The patrol is scheduled for September 9 to 11, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., along the Caledonia TSM3 electrical distribution circuit in areas from Third Line to Sixth Line Road between Tuscarora Road and Highway 6, Cayuga Road between Third and Sixth line Roads, and along the railway between Third and Sixth line Roads. The recommendation said the visual patrol will involve up to two Hydro One employees travelling by motorized vehicle and/or on foot. The patrol is intended to identify...
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Six Nations litigation community survey
Six Nations community members may have a chance to take part in the Nation’s litigation against Canada. Six Nations Litigation is scheduled to begin Oct. 5, 2026 and the community is being asked to provide input on how it would like to participate in the proceedings. Six Nations Elected Council CEO Debra Jonathan made the announcement during the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Council meeting on September 8, encouraging community members to complete a survey to let SNEC know how they’d like to get involved. “The Six Nations of the Grand River litigation is set to begin on October 5, 2026, and we would like to know how the community would like to take part in this,” Jonathan said. The survey is available online and hard copies can be...
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