Haudenosaunee clubs to compete at Pan-American tournament in Oshawa
By Sam Laskaris Writer Though the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles are less than two years away, it has yet to be determined whether the Haudenosaunee Nationals lacrosse clubs will be allowed to take part. Officials from the Haudenosaunee program are still waiting to hear if representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will determine that its teams are indeed eligible for Olympic participation. As things stand now, the IOC does not recognize the Haudenosaunee Confederacy as being able to take part. That’s because the IOC believes that only those athletes who are from a country that has its own national Olympic federation should be able to compete at Olympic Games. Though team members have their own Haudenosaunee passports that they travel with, those on the squads live in...
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AFN chief warns Carney against ‘abusing’ majority to pass major projects bill
By Alessia Passafiume The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations has warned Prime Minister Mark Carney against “abusing” his majority government powers to pass the new major projects bill, which she said could trample on First Nations’ rights. “Yesterday we heard federal representatives describe Bill C-39 as the most consequential legislation in decades,” Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said on Parliament Hill on Tuesday. “If this is the case, the Assembly of First Nations expects the legislation to be matched by an equally consequential level of parliamentary consideration and public review.” The Building Canada Strong Act, introduced in the House of Commons by the Liberals on the first sitting day of the fall sitting, shifts the responsibility for reviewing many big projects, such as pipelines and power transmission lines, from...
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Ottawa opens up 15% Trans Mountain equity stake to Indigenous groups on pipeline path
By Brett Bundale The Canadian government has offered Indigenous groups a collective 15 per cent ownership stake in the Trans Mountain pipeline, advancing a long-promised plan to give First Nations equity in the federally owned infrastructure connecting Alberta crude to a Vancouver-area export terminal. In a letter to a First Nation along the pipeline’s path seen by The Canadian Press on Tuesday, a Department of Finance official said the equity investment would be equally distributed among participating groups “through a low-cost government-provided loan.” The Trans Mountain equity offer follows consultations and discussions with 129 First Nations, said John Fragos, spokesperson for Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne. Ottawa is now gauging interest among the Indigenous nations before determining the finer details, including the size of individual stakes and the terms for buying...
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Historic repatriation: Tsawwassen’s ancestral artifact returns home after a century in Quebec’s museum
By Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Delta Optimist A delegation from Tsawwassen successfully brought back their sacred belonging, “Sqəmáθiá” home after a journey to Gatineau, Quebec, where it was held for over a century. “More than 100 years after being removed from our territory and housed at the Canadian Museum of History, the ancestral stone figure known as Sqəmáθiá has returned to Tsawwassen lands through repatriation,” said the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN). The nation celebrated Sqəmáθiá’s homecoming with a huge gathering at its longhouse on Sept. 11. The event included heart-warming speeches, songs of resilience, cultural protocols, and a cedar cleansing ceremony. “Her return is the result of generations of determination, vision, and care. It reflects the ongoing work of those who protected our rights and remained committed to...
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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 Thursday. 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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Liberals table bill to speed up major project approvals, avert labour disruptions
By Nick Murray Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government tabled a sweeping bill Monday meant to fast-track approvals for major projects, cut their review times and create zones of “national interest” to pre-approve certain types of projects. Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, is also proposing major changes to collective bargaining, including the use of more federal mediation to get deals done and repair relationships between unions and businesses. “This legislation will give our country the tools we need to build more, better and more efficiently. We know the challenge before us. We cannot control decisions made by other countries, but we can control how we are prepared here at home. To do that, we need the right infrastructure,” Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon told a news conference. Senior government officials...
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Who are the party leaders as British Columbia goes to the polls?
By Ashley Joannou British Columbians are going to the polls about two years ahead of schedule, after NDP Leader David Eby called an early election to be held on Oct. 24. Here’s a look at the party leaders in a political landscape that is very different from the one that emerged after the last election in October 2024. DAVID EBY, B.C. NDP Eby’s New Democrats clung onto their majority in 2024 by their fingertips, their one-seat margin in the legislature confirmed by Garry Begg’s 22-vote win in Surrey-Guildford after a recount. Eby would nickname Begg “Landslide,” but the joke belied the seriousness of the situation for Eby, whose majority would be tested by differences within his own party about the fate of its Indigenous legislation, the Declaration on the Rights...
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B.C. opposition forces unite as Eby calls Oct. 24 snap election, citing Trump threat
By Wolfgang Depner British Columbia’s political scene is undergoing breakneck restructuring ahead of an Oct. 24 snap election that NDP Leader David Eby called on Tuesday, framing it as necessary to respond to the threat posed by U.S. President Donald Trump and his trade war. Eby, who called it an “existential moment” for the province, had gone to Government House to ask Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia to dissolve the legislature while expecting to face opponents splintered into two main factions — the official Opposition B.C. Conservatives and CentreBC, with eight legislators. But less than two hours after Eby emerged, his opponents had forged a deal to unite, with seven legislators from CentreBC rejoining the Conservative caucus. It had also been unclear at the start of the day exactly who was the...
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West Vancouver exhibit highlights Indigenous beaded dog blankets
By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Shore News An exhibition in West Vancouver is amplifying an almost lost practice from Northern Indigenous communities – beaded dog sled blankets. Tāpis: A Love Letter to Our Dog Kin is the latest exhibit at the Ferry Building Gallery, showcasing nine intricate dog blankets crafted by four Indigenous artists. “It is with great pride to be able to showcase this exhibit,” said Cree and Métis artist Adele (ᒪᐢᑿᓱᐤᐏᐢᑵᐤ) Arseneau. “It has been created to show the beauty and celebration of dog regalia as completed by Michif, Dene and other Nations to celebrate our valued dog kin.” Tāpis Originating from Métis, Northern Cree and Dene communities, tāpis are decorated blankets to drape over sled dogs, symbolizing respect. Also called li tāpis by the...
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Mismatched licence plate leads RCMP to arrest over drugs, weapons
By Brook Wagner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Medicine Hat News Three Saddle Lake First Nation residents face drug and firearms charges after a traffic stop in northeastern Alberta earlier this month, RCMP said Monday. Saddle Lake RCMP say officers on patrol Sept. 4 spotted a vehicle with a licence plate that did not match it. Officers pulled the vehicle over and began to search it. Police say they seized two .22-calibre guns, a pump action Winchester shotgun and ammunition. Officers also found 106 grams of suspected cocaine, four grams of suspected methamphetamine, drug trafficking tools and several IDs that did not belong to anyone in the vehicle. The accused are a 36-year-old, a 38-year-old and a 34-year-old. Police have not released the three people’s names. The trio is charged with...
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FACT FOCUS: Trump made multiple false and misleading claims in front of the UN General Assembly
By Melissa Goldin President Donald Trump made myriad false and misleading claims during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, many of which he has repeated frequently throughout his second term in the White House. They covered topics such as U.S. munitions supply, drug seizures, oil and the economy. Here’s a closer look at the facts. ___ CLAIM: “We have more munitions than we could ever possibly even think of using, and we’re building them at levels that we have never done before.” THE FACTS: Published reports and experts contradict this claim. Weapons stockpiles are diminishing, according to officials from the U.S. military, NATO and the Middle East, and it will take years for U.S. military contractors to replenish Tomahawk cruise missiles as well as Patriot and...
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Vehicles placed out of service after Six Nations-MTO inspections
Six Nations held a vehicle inspection that resulted in 17 per cent of inspected vehicles pulled off the roadways. (SNPS Photo) OHSWEKEN, ON, September 17, 2026 –-A five-axle trailer operating without trailer brakes, an improperly secured vehicle on a trailer and loose steering fasteners were among safety defects the Six Nations Police Service (SNPS) and Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) found after inspecting 17 vehicles entering Six Nations . SNPS requested the aid of the MTO to assist with inspections of commercial vehicles entering Six Nations Sept 14, 2026. The inspections resulted in nearly 25% of the vehicles inspected being placed out of service until identified safety defects were addressed. Defects included: A five-axle trailer operating with its trailer airline disconnected, resulting in no trailer brakes Brakes exceeding prescribed...
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Ottawa opens up 15% Trans Mountain equity stake to Indigenous groups on pipeline path
By Brett Bundale The Canadian government is offering Indigenous groups a collective 15 per cent ownership stake in the Trans Mountain pipeline through a low-cost loan. In a letter to a First Nation along the pipeline’s path and seen by The Canadian Press, a federal Department of Finance official says the equity investment would be equally distributed among participating groups. It says details of the federal government’s offer would be shared during a series of in-person meetings in Vancouver, Victoria, Kamloops and Edmonton planned for late October. The official says the government will provide the affected Indigenous communities with up to $100,000 to support such expenses as travel, office space rental and equipment through March 2028. Ottawa bought the existing Trans Mountain pipeline, its expansion project and related assets for...
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Cape Breton container port proponent shifts focus to offshore wind development
Proponents behind a 13-year-old bid to build a shipping container port in Cape Breton say they’re now focused on developing a terminal to support the offshore wind sector. Novaporte, led by CEO Albert Barbusci, issued a statement Tuesday saying that as of last week, it had drummed up investor interest for the new proposal at Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Canada Investment Summit in Toronto. Sydney Harbour Investment Partners, which is leading the project and is also helmed by Barbusci, did not immediately respond to an interview request Tuesday. And its investment partner, Toronto’s Fengate Asset Management, declined to provide more information. Novaporte’s revamped website calls the new plan: “Canada’s North Atlantic platform for energy, trade, defence and digital infrastructure.” The company said in a release that it wants to build...
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Community events planned for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
By Darryl Knight, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Standard Newspaper Orange shirts will be a familiar sight around Brock Township next week as residents gather to remember the children who never returned home from residential schools and honour those who survived. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, will be marked Wednesday, Sept. 30, with a number of opportunities for residents to learn, reflect, and remember. In Brock, the day’s local observance will include a flag ceremony at noon at the Brock Municipal Building in Cannington. Residents are invited to join members of council for the ceremony and are encouraged to wear orange shirts in recognition of the day and the Every Child Matters movement. The observance comes with an understanding of the land...
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B.C. Premier Eby calls election for Oct. 24, framing Trump as ‘existential’ threat
By Wolfgang Depner British Columbia Premier David Eby has called an election less than two years into his mandate and amid chaos within the B.C. Conservative Opposition whose leader quit days ago. The NDP Leader went to Government House in Victoria on Tuesday to ask Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia to dissolve the legislature, setting off an election campaign with voting day on Oct. 24. Eby said the threat posed by U.S. President Donald Trump and his trade war represented an “existential moment” for B.C. The date of final voting is a week after municipal elections are scheduled, and Eby called the vote despite pleas from numerous local government leaders not to overlap the campaigns. The snap election comes amid frantic efforts on the right side of the political spectrum to consolidate...
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The Latest: Trump says US and Iran met shortly after he threatened annihilation in UN speech
President Donald Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials met Tuesday, shortly after he threatened in his address to the U.N. General Assembly that he may “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if a deal isn’t reached soon to end nearly seven-month war. Trump told reporters about the meeting but offered few details about the talks. Trump returned to the U.N. General Assembly at a tumultuous moment for the world — and for his presidency. The president used his address to tick off progress — including adding private sector jobs, stemming illegal migration and curbing crime — before defending his decision to start a war with Iran. He accused Iran of stalling to make a deal to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate an endgame to the war until after the...
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AFN chief warns Carney against ‘abusing’ majority to pass major projects bill
By Alessia Passafiume The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is warning Prime Minister Mark Carney against “abusing” his majority government powers to pass his new major projects bill, which she says could affect First Nations rights. The Building Canada Strong Act shifts the responsibility for reviewing many big projects, such as pipelines and power transmission lines, from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to the Canada Energy Regulator. It also proposes changes to the Canada Labour Code. Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says Carney’s government risks dishonouring the Crown if it limits debate and consultations on the bill, as it did when it passed its major projects legislation in 2025. She says Carney must let First Nations leaders bring forward amendments to the legislation and his government must...
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Tsleil-Waututh Nation chief stepping down
By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Shore News səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) Chief Justin George will soon be stepping down. The Tsleil-Waututh Nation posted the announcement on their website last week, saying the chief has made the decision to step down due to health and wellness considerations. “This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made,” George said in the Nation’s announcement. “Serving as chief has been one of the greatest honours of my life. I have been humbled by the trust placed in me and I will always carry with me the privilege of serving our people whom I love so much.” George began his term on July 1, 2025, succeeding previous Chief Jen Thomas who had held the position since 2021. George previously served...
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Cape Breton container port proponent shifts focus to offshore wind development
Proponents behind a 13-year-old bid to build a shipping container port in Cape Breton say they’re now focused on developing a terminal to support the offshore wind sector. Novaporte issued a statement today saying it drummed up investor interest for the new proposal at last week’s Canada Investment Summit in Toronto. Sydney Harbour Investment Partners, which is leading the project, did not immediately respond to an interview request, and its investment partner, Toronto’s Fengate Asset Management, declined to provide more information. The plan calls for building an offshore wind manufacturing port on the shores of Sydney harbour and to attract anchor manufacturers and suppliers to the area. Terry Paul is chief of Cape Breton’s Membertou First Nation, which has an equity stake in Sydney Harbour Investment. He says there’s a...
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