Ottawa too slow to process First Nations status applications: AG report
OTTAWA -CP— Canada’s auditor general says Indigenous Services Canada has not been processing applications for registration under the Indian Act within the required six-month timeline. The failure means many First Nations people are unable to access on-reserve housing, financial aid for post-secondary education and health benefits.Karen Hogan reports in an audit released today that more than eight out of 10 applications processed by the department between 2019 and 2024 exceeded that six-month window. Some of those were priority applications for people who are older or have health issues. Hogan says there is a backlog of about 12,000 applications, including nearly 1,500 applications that went unprocessed for more than two years. Hogan also says Indigenous Services couldn’t show that most officials making final decisions on applications had the proper training and...
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‘Horrific impacts’: as B.C. prepares to fast-track projects, a mining watchdog warns past mistakes could be repeated
By Matt Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Narwhal Environmental assessments exist for a reason. That’s what Nikki Skuce, director of BC Mining Law Reform Network, said in response to British Columbia’s current push to eliminate or streamline regulatory processes for proposed developments, which she fears could erode public safety and environmental protection around major mining projects. Last month, following a flurry of announcements about fast-tracking renewable energy projects and other infrastructure, the province enacted the controversial Bill 15, which gives the B.C. government sweeping powers to expedite proposed resource development. It has been widely condemned by many First Nations leaders. “What problem are they trying to solve by pushing this through?” Skuce said in an interview. “Because, in fact, they’re eroding trust with First Nations communities and other communities...
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No consultations; protests loom: First Nation leaders
By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice A single meeting is not consultation. That’s what Walpole Island First Nation Chief Leela Thomas has to say regarding York1’s claim the company consulted with the band about the Dresden landfill project. “A short meeting is not consultation,” Thomas told The Voice in a recent interview. “Consultation means we know everything that the project entails. This hasn’t happened and there’s been no attempt to reconcile our concerns.” The chief’s comments were made public just prior to the Ontario government’s approval of Bill 5 on June 4. As part of the Unleashing the Economy to Protect Ontario Act 2025, the bill removes the environmental assessment designation for the York1 project, thereby fast tracking the controversial development located near the heart of Dresden....
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Manitoba government urges tourists not to visit as 21,000 people flee wildfires
By Steve Lambert Manitoba urged tourists Monday to hit pause on visiting the province for now as it fights to find shelter for a growing legion of wildfire evacuees that has now reached 21,000. It was one of multiple provinces battling marauding forest fires that have spawned sweeping, soaring tendrils of gauzy wood smoke across the country and beyond. “This is one of the largest evacuations in our province’s history,” said Lisa Naylor, the Manitoba minister in charge of emergency management. “The government anticipates there may be a need for more hotel rooms as the wildfire season continues. For that reason, we are urging Manitobans and Canadians to reconsider non-essential travel and event plans within Manitoba.” Naylor acknowledged it’s a difficult situation. “We absolutely know how important tourism is to...
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N.S. Mi’kmaq band drops case arguing federal rules don’t apply to its lobster fishery
A Mi’kmaq band has quietly discontinued its legal case alleging Ottawa was violating its right to fish for lobster, after hopes were raised of a historic deal. Last December, the lawyer for Sipekne’katik First Nation told Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice John Keith that discussions with Ottawa to settle the matter were of historic importance and “moving to a conclusion.” Keith gave the parties until June 16 to finish the mediation, but said at that point the case would carry on before the courts. However, a letter to the courts sent June 6 by Sipekne’katik’s lawyer Nathan Sutherland dropped the case without any further explanation, and without any kind of deal announced. Band members had argued their “moderate livelihood” fishery outside of the regular season is permitted by a 1999...
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Attorneys get more time to argue over contested copper mine on land sacred to Apaches
By Susan Montoya Bryan A U.S. district judge in Arizona has opened the door for the next round of legal wrangling as environmentalists and some Native Americas seek to stop the federal government from transferring land in Arizona for a massive copper mining project. Judge Dominic Lanza in a ruling issued Monday denied motions that sought to halt the transfer pending the outcome of the case. However, he did preclude the U.S. Forest Service from proceeding with the land exchange until 60 days after the agency issues a required environmental review. Lanza said that would give the parties more time to analyze the environmental report and file amended complaints. He said granting a preliminary injunction now would be premature since the review will differ in some ways from the one...
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Five things to know about Canada’s plan to meet the NATO defence spending target
By Sarah Ritchie Prime Minister Mark Carney is promising that Canada will quickly boost its defence spending to hit the NATO member target of two per cent of national GDP this year. Canada has long promised to meet the target but has never had a detailed plan to get there. The announcement comes as NATO allies prepare for talks on raising the spending target to five per cent at the annual summit this month. Here’s what you need to know about the announcement. What is the NATO spending target? All NATO allies, Canada included, committed to spending the equivalent of two per cent of their GDP on defence in 2006. In 2014, NATO leaders agreed formally that countries that were not meeting the target must move toward it within a...
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Aroland, Bearskin Lake call out Ford government over Bill 5
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source AROLAND – Aroland First Nation’s chief would like to make it clear that he and his council do not support Bill 5 – and that they’re not in league with Premier Doug Ford’s government on Ring of Fire mining, either. A news release issued Monday says the First Nation north of Geraldton “objects to Bill 5, the disrespect shown by the process toward it, and the threats to First Nations, the environment, democracy and basic human rights that its contents contain.” On the same day, Bearskin Lake First Nation issued a statement calling for Bill 5’s repeal and the resignation of Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford. Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, authorizes the province to...
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T.J. Oshie, US Olympic star in Sochi and Capitals Stanley Cup champion, announces he’s retiring
By Sammi Silber WASHINGTON (AP) — T.J. Oshie, who scored four shootout goals for the U.S. to beat host Russia at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and helped the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018, announced Monday he is retiring after playing 16 NHL seasons. Oshie, who Ojibwe, shared his news in front of hundreds of fans gathered at the fountains at Washington Harbour in Georgetown, seven years to the day of one of the most memorable Cup celebrations in hockey history when he and several teammates jumped into the fountains and took a dip. President of hockey operations Brian MacLellan, general manager Chris Patrick, coach Spencer Carbery and longtime teammates Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson came out to support Oshie as he called it a career. “My only...
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DC prepares for Trump’s military parade with 18 miles of fencing and 175 magnetometers
By Ashraf Khalil WASHINGTON (AP) — As the nation’s capital cleans up from the culmination of World Pride this past weekend, focus now shifts to a very different massive event — Saturday’s military parade to honor the 250th birthday of the Army and the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump. “We’re preparing for an enormous turnout,” said Matt McCool of the Secret Service’s Washington Field office, who said more than 18 miles of “anti-scale fencing” would be erected and “multiple drones” would be in the air. The entire District of Columbia is normally a no-fly zone for drones. Army officials have estimated around 200,000 attendees for the evening military parade, and McCool said he was prepared for “hundreds of thousands” of people. “We have a ton of magnetometers,” he said....
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There is no time to slow-walk reconciliation, says author of guidebook for next steps
By Shari Narine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com As wildfires force First Nations communities to evacuate in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, the easiest way for allies to step up is to donate to the Canadian Red Cross, says Rose LeMay, author of Ally is a Verb: A Guide to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. But allies can do even more. As accommodations in hotels become increasingly strained, LeMay says allies can call for universities and colleges to open up their student housing. And allies can lobby politicians for stronger, faster responses. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong at all with lobbying for effective government services. I’m guessing governments from provincial, territorial to federal governments, are overwhelmed. It seems that they are doing as best as they can,” said LeMay. “Governments...
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Mi’kmaq band drops legal case on N.S. lobster fishery
By Michael Tutton A Mi’kmaq band has dropped a legal case alleging Ottawa was violating its treaty rights in the lobster fishery, after hopes were raised of a historic deal. Last December, the lawyer for Sipekne’katik First Nation told Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice John Keith that discussions with Ottawa to settle the matter were “moving to a conclusion.” Keith gave the parties until June 16 to finish the mediation, but said at that point the case would carry on before the courts. However, a letter to the courts sent June 6 by Sipekne’katik’s lawyer Nathan Sutherland dropped the case without any further explanation. Neither side has provided an update on the status of negotiations for a new agreement. Chief Michelle Glasgow, the leader of the Indigenous community about 70...
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Kahkewistahaw First Nation undertaking major development projects
By Ryan Kiedrowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The World-Spectator With projects such as Lakeside at Round Lake, Kahkewistahâw Landing in Saskatoon, and Mâmawi Landing in Yorkton, there are big economic development plans underway by Kahkewistahâw First Nation, and a lot on the plate for the Kahkewistahâw Economic Management Corporation. “We truly are planning for seven generations ahead,” said Kahkewistahâw Chief Evan Taypotat. “The leadership team that I sit with, the counsellors that I’m blessed to work with every day, we understand and we respect Treaty and what it’s supposed to give to our people, but at the end of the day, Treaty gives the bare minimum, and that’s what it was designed to do,” Chief Taypotat explained. “We’re not going to sit over here on Kahkewistahâw, feel sorry for ourselves...
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Two First Nations working on roads to Ring of Fire do not support new mining law
By Liam Casey Two First Nations that signed deals with the provincial government to improve access to the Ring of Fire are speaking out against a new Ontario law that seeks to ease mineral extraction in the northern region. Aroland First Nation Chief Sonny Gagnon said his community objects to the law known as Bill 5, which seeks to speed up development in the face of pressure from the United States. The legislation passed last week and allows Ontario to suspend provincial and municipal laws by creating so-called special economic zones for certain projects it chooses, such as new mines. “We do not stand with Ontario in support of Bill 5,” Gagnon said in a statement. “We do stand in support of the other First Nations in Ontario who are...
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In the shadow of a Tkarón:to expressway, Secwépemc artist honours flora on forest floors
By Dionne Phillips, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews As Tania Willard constructed a depiction of a forest floor under an expressway in downtown Tkarón:to (Toronto), she reflected on both the threats to ecosystems and their importance to her people. “Because the fact is, we’re all in urgent times when it comes to the natural world,” the Secwépemc artist told IndigiNews. Her new artwork Declaration of the Understory opened to the public on May 23, as part of the Bentway — a non-profit organization that utilizes public spaces to re-imagine the opportunities of urban spaces — summer exhibition, Sun/Shade. The exhibition featuring multiple artists, designers and researchers will be open until Oct. 5 and is free of charge. Each artwork explores the relation between the sun and shade, underscoring the importance...
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Judge upholds obstruction conviction for B.C. Mountie in Dale Culver case
By Brenna Owen A provincial court judge has ruled that the guilty verdict stands for an RCMP officer convicted of obstruction of justice in the case of an Indigenous man who died in police custody in 2017, clearing the way for sentencing. A statement from the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association says Judge Adrian Brooks dismissed the attempt by RCMP Const. Arthur Dalman to have the proceedings stayed, rejecting Dalman’s claim that his Charter rights were breached. The B.C. Prosecution Service has confirmed the ruling, which communications counsel Damienne Darby says was released on May 29. Dalman was found guilty last July of obstruction of justice for ordering witnesses to delete video footage taken at the time Dale Culver was arrested in Prince George. The civil liberties association says officers...
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Manitoba residents fleeing scorching wildfires take refuge in Niagara Falls, Ont.
By Sharif Hassan Until two weeks ago, Tyrone Caribou and his five children lived together in a house on a remote First Nation reserve in northern Manitoba. Then the scorching wildfires tearing through the Prairies blanketed the region in thick smoke and split his family across two provinces. Caribou and his 15-year-old daughter, Rosa Caribou, were part of a cohort of evacuees brought to Niagara Falls, Ont., while his other children are staying in Thompson, Man., — three with a relative and one, his 19-year-old daughter, with her boyfriend, he said. “We’re displaced all over. We got out as soon as we could,” Caribou said this week, standing outside the downtown hotel where he and his daughter settled three days ago. Wildfires also forced the family from their home in...
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Annuity payments life-changing, Fort William chief says
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION – As a large First Nation, Fort William will receive about 17 per cent of whatever it and the 11 other Robinson Superior Treaty nations receive in compensation for historical underpayment in treaty annuities, Chief Michele Solomon says. That comes out to at least $640 million, maybe more. The amount going to Fort William First Nation could rise because the total the 12 Robinson Superior First Nations receive could be more than the $3.6 billion offered by the Crown in January, depending on what an Ontario Superior Court judge decides after hearings this month in Thunder Bay. Solomon says the settlement money means a lot to her First Nation of about 2,800 people. “I mean, youth...
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Ottawa sending support from armed forces amid northern Ontario wildfire evacuations
By Rianna Lim The federal government has deployed members of the Canadian Armed Forces to help evacuate a northwestern Ontario First Nation as wildfires rapidly spread in the region, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Sunday. Carney said in a social media post that Ottawa has accepted Ontario’s urgent request for assistance in and around Sandy Lake First Nation, and the military will help with emergency airlift evacuations. “We’re prepared to mobilize every resource needed to keep Canadians safe,” Carney wrote. The military deployment was also discussed at a meeting of the Incident Response Group Carney convened on Sunday to address the already highly active wildfire season, according to a readout of the meeting provided by the Prime Minister’s Office. As of Sunday, the Ontario government said the Red Lake 12...
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Overnight camping will be allowed in some Penticton parks under new bylaw
By Keith Lacey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Penticton Herald The City of Penticton is moving forward with a major update to its parks bylaw, bringing it in line with legal precedents that have made a blanket ban on overnight sheltering by unhoused individuals unconstitutional. Since 1974, the City’s bylaw has prohibited any form of overnight camping in all city parks. However, a series of court rulings over the past 15 years have established that such prohibitions violate Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms when there is insufficient indoor shelter space available. “The legal landscape has changed considerably since these regulations were enacted in the 1970s,” said Julie Czeck, Penticton’s general manager of public safety and partnerships, during a special council meeting Wednesday. “B.C. courts have determined...
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