‘You saved a lot of our people’: Four syilx Nation members honoured for contributions
By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews With her family, colleagues and community surrounding her, an emotional nkwancinem Kim Montgomery was gifted a special fox pelt to honour her 20 years of service with the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA). A key and dedicated member of ONA’s wellness team, nkwancinem was honoured by her colleagues in her home community of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band. She was one of four syilx Nation members to have had their lifelong achievements and contributions to the community celebrated at the ONA’s 2026 annual general assembly, which took place July 22 and 23 in sməqmíx homelands. As the mental health lead for the Okanagan Nation Response Team, nkwancinem oversees a group of “community members who have received extensive training in the areas of suicide...
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N.L. government announces Team Labrador to secure economic benefits from energy deal
The Newfoundland and Labrador government says it wants to make sure Labradorians benefit from the province’s proposed multibillion-dollar energy deal with Quebec. The province has appointed three members of the provincial legislature to serve on a new team with a mandate to ensure the peninsula can capitalize on the deal. The two provinces’ public utility companies have proposed the construction of several energy projects around the Churchill River. But one local mayor says his community would need help to absorb the large number of workers arriving for some of the proposed projects. Mayor Bert Pomeroy of Happy Valley-Goose Bay said there would be an increased stress on housing and health care, and the infrastructure that supports it. The province says its new Team Labrador will engage with Indigenous governments and...
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Province announces $2.2 million for community environmental projects
By Paige Morgan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, River Valley Sun Western New Brunswick organizations included in funding More than $2.2 million is being distributed among 45 community-based projects across central and western New Brunswick through the Environmental Trust Fund. “Our government remains committed to supporting projects that deliver meaningful, lasting benefits for communities across the province,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Gilles LePage. “By empowering local environmental leaders and community organizations, we are taking meaningful steps toward a cleaner, greener and more sustainable province.” Since its inception in 1990, the Environmental Trust Fund has supported community-based initiatives that focus on several priority areas: environmental protection, raising environmental awareness, waste management, addressing climate change and building sustainable communities. “Investments like these show what is possible when governments, communities and conservation...
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150 Years of Treaty 6
By Carol Baldwin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Wakaw Recorder In 1876, First Nations and the Crown entered into Treaty 6 at Fort Carlton on August 23rd. Commemorative events for the 150th anniversary are scheduled from August 20 to 23, 2026, at Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park, and the original parchment will be on display. The original manuscript of Treaty 6, rarely displayed outside museums, is significant for its unique handwritten elements from the 1876 negotiations, including additions like the Medicine Chest and Famine & Pestilence clauses, offering insights into the discussions. Understanding Treaty involves looking beyond the text to its Spirit and Intent. This milestone event offers an opportunity to reflect on the commitments, relationships, responsibilities, and historical context related to the Treaty, while also emphasizing the importance of its...
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First Nation-led pilot turns forestry waste into foam with federal backing
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer As wildfires burn through BC forests, a First Nation is demonstrating what can be done with any damaged or leftover wood by turning it into biodegradable packaging and building insulation. Reg Ogen, a Wet’suwet’en leader who has been hearing helicopters over his Penticton home as crews fight a major wildfire near Summerland, said this latest disaster points to a larger supply of damaged wood across BC that could be put to use. The idea first came from Wet’suwet’en Elders who questioned why forestry companies left wood waste behind after logging, said Ogen, president and CEO of Yinka Dene Economic Development Limited Partnership, the business arm of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation. “Our elders saw big piles of brush being burned in...
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Six Nations Elected Council facing community storm over “secret” Brantford boundry lands MOU
Mayor Kevin Davis and Six Nations Elected Chief-Sherri-Lyn Hill sign what Brantford Mayor Davis called a “secret” MOU over “Boundry Lands “development . (Supplied Photo) By Lynda Powless Editor SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER-After facing a storm of community anger Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is trying to cool the fires claiming it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Brantford over what’s known as the “Boundary Lands’ because Ontario has blocked First Nations from benefiting from their homelands. The controversial MOU sparked a barrage of angry comments in the community and flooded Face Book postings accusing SNEC of corruption, secrets and calling for Elected Chief’s Sherri-Lyn Hill’s impeachment and demands she step down. The anger also sparked safety concerns for SNEC members prompting the band...
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Calgary police officer charged in shooting death of Stoney Nakoda man will go to trial
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook ÎYÂRHE NAKODA – A Calgary police officer will stand trial for the shooting deaths of two men, including one from Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation, after an eight-day preliminary hearing determined there is enough evidence to move the case forward. Craig Stothard is facing two counts of second-degree murder after a 2023 shooting that resulted in the deaths of Levon Fox, 39, of Goodstoney First Nation and Wesley Davidson, 46. The preliminary inquiry wrapped up on Tuesday (Aug.18) after Justice Mark Mastel, who also ordered a publication ban on the hearing, ruled there is sufficient evidence to move to a trial. Levon Fox’s mother, Lena Wildman attended each day of the inquiry. “It’s been a tough week,” Wildman said. “Our...
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Mînî Thnî skateboard program empowering youth, looks to revamp community park
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook ÎYÂRHE NAKODA – On Wednesday nights in Mînî Thnî, you’ll find Mark Kaquitts and River Holloway at the skatepark. Holloway can land a mean ollie and makes a kickflip look easy but the skaters aren’t there for themselves, they’re there for the youth. “I’m using skateboarding as a tool for the youth’s hearts,” said Kaquitts, founder of Nakoda Skate and Snow, the longest running weekly skate program on the reserve. For Kaquitts, it’s about empowering Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda kids by placing a skateboard in their hand, showing up to the park every week – with free pizza and pop – and providing a safe place for them to shred. “A lot of these kids don’t have the right support system...
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B.C., federal governments announce $106.5 million investment for new fisheries fund
The British Columbia and federal governments have announced a joint investment of $106.5 million over five years to help restore salmon habitat and to support the province’s fish and seafood sectors. The governments say in a joint news release that the money will be allocated through the new British Columbia Fisheries Fund. The fund aims to support the conservation and recovery of wild Pacific salmon, which the release says are “woven into the economy and the culture of coastal and Indigenous communities.” The governments say it will build on the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, which was launched in 2019 and has invested in 170 projects related to the development of new technologies in salmon recovery and conservation. They say reaching new markets is now essential to becoming resilient...
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Ontario First Nation evacuated for second time this summer as nursing station flooded
By Maan Alhmidi Neskantaga First Nation had to be evacuated again after a sewage flood at the community’s only nursing station, the northern Ontario community’s chief said on Thursday. Gary Quisess said Neskantaga residents had to leave the community earlier this month for the second time this summer, just days after they returned home following a wildfire evacuation. “It’s not a good feeling to be displaced and a hotel is not a long term facility for a community to stay in,” he said during a press conference at Queen’s Park. “It’s heartbreaking. All of our plans, summer plans, are gone. Our community festival. Our family reunion, it’s gone. Youth retreat is gone. Everything.” He said families from his community are staying in crowded hotel rooms in Toronto and they want...
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Manitoba premier questions reliability of trade deal with erratic Trump
By Ian Bickis Manitoba’s premier says he is open to returning U.S. booze to provincial shelves but wonders how reliable any deal will be with a U.S. president known for breaking his word. Wab Kinew made the comments on Winnipeg radio station 680 CJOB Thursday morning as Canada and the United States work to finalize a new trade deal to ward off further punishing tariffs on Canadian goods. It reportedly includes a better deal on steel tariffs, which Kinew acknowledged would benefit the Gerdau steel mill in Selkirk, Man., and other workers in the industry. But he said he would rather keep pushing to remove tariffs entirely than cut a bad deal. “If I were leading the country, I’d fight. I think we should fight this guy,” he told the...
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New docuseries on Arctic life premieres next month on APTN
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com Terry Uyarak is an acclaimed Inuk singer/songwriter who has also worked as a performer and artistic director of an Inuit circus troupe. Even with all that entertainment experience under his belt, Uyarak, who lives in Igloolik, a hamlet in Nunavut, was nervous during one of his recent gigs. Uyarak is featured in the first episode of a new docuseries titled Go North! that will begin airing on APTN Sept. 3. Go North! is a series that celebrates Indigenous travel, resilience and life in the Arctic. In the initial episode, titled “Open Water,” Uyarak leads a group of Inuit youth on a walrus hunting expedition. When he’s not performing on a stage, Uyarak is out on the land hunting and harvesting food and...
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Manitoba premier questions reliability of trade deal with erratic Trump
Manitoba’s premier says he is open to returning U.S. booze to provincial shelves but wonders how reliable any deal will be with a president known for breaking his word. Wab Kinew made the comments on Winnipeg radio station 680 CJOB this morning as Canada and the United States work to finalize a new trade deal to ward off further punishing tariffs on Canadian goods. It reportedly includes a better deal on steel tariffs, which Kinew acknowledges would benefit Manitoba. But he says he would rather keep fighting to remove tariffs entirely than cut a bad deal. Kinew says Prime Minister Mark Carney is also asking premiers to return U.S. liquor to their shelves in return. He says if it goes back on Manitoba shelves, his government reserves the right to...
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Manitoba teacher commissioner received 94 complaints in 15 months, report reveals
By Maggie Macintosh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Winnipeg Free Press Ninety-four complaints about teacher misconduct were flagged in the 15 months after Manitoba set up an independent office to regulate the profession. Commissioner Noni Classen has released a summary of the allegations brought to her attention and findings of investigations undertaken between January 2025 and March 2026. A new disciplinary system, as well as an online registry where members of the public can look up the education level and standing of teachers and school clinicians, came into effect Jan. 6, 2025. “These processes can be difficult and deeply personal for everyone involved, including students, families, teachers and school administrators,” Classen wrote in a 24-page report published this week. “It is important that all individuals who interact with this office are...
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Ontario First Nation evacuated for second time this summer as nursing station flooded
Neskantaga First Nation chief says his northern Ontario community had to be evacuated again after a contractor hired by the federal government caused a sewage flood at the community’s only nursing station. Gary Quisess says Neskantaga residents had to leave earlier this month for the second time this summer, just days after they returned home following a wildfire evacuation. He says families from his community are staying in crowded hotel rooms in Toronto and they want to go back to their homes as soon as possible. Quisess says the fly-in community declared a state of emergency after a contractor damaged the septic system under a nursing station, which is the community’s only health-care facility. Neskantaga officials say the damage caused raw sewage to back up and fill the basement of...
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Native House board reinstated by Quebec Registrar
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase The Quebec Enterprise Registrar has reinstated the former board of directors at the Native House, according to a decision that was issued in June. Richard Ruest, President of the Native House, described the decision as a crucial step in restoring normal governance to the museum. “This decision restores the legitimacy of the Native House’s governing bodies and allows us to turn a difficult page in its history,” Ruest said. The Quebec Enterprise Registrar issued its ruling on June 15, overturning a 2025 decision by the museum’s then-executive director to restructure its board. Specifically, the executive director removed Ruest as President and Alain O’Bomsawin as Secretary-Treasurer, without the approval or consent of the full board of directors. Both Ruest and O’Bomsawin have now...
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Crown wants jail for man guilty of sharing disturbing images
By Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince George Citizen A Provincial Court judge in Prince George has reserved decision on the sentence for a man who pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography and bestiality. After an Aug. 6 hearing, Judge David Simpkin sent Crown and defence lawyers to court schedulers to arrange a one-hour hearing to decide how long Andy Junior Leslie Szabo will be jailed. Crown prosecutor Abigail Robillard said Szabo, 32, should be sentenced to two years for the child pornography offence and one year, consecutive, for bestiality. Robillard also asked Simpkin to add Szabo to the national sex offender registry for 20 years, ban Szabo from possessing an animal for 10 years and order him to stay away from places where children under 16 gather for...
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Prince George company sues developer of wood pellet plant
By Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince George Citizen A Prince George construction company says it is owed $1.7 million after working to dismantle the former Canfor Oriented Strand Board (OSB) plant in Fort Nelson. JDT Construction Ltd. filed a notice of civil claim in BC Supreme Court’s Prince George registry on July 30, claiming Peak North America Construction Ltd. and Peak Fort Nelson Properties Ltd. have not paid invoices dating back almost two years. None of the allegations has been tested in court. The defendants have yet to file a statement of defence. The lawsuit said JDT, under its agreement with Canal Flats-based PNA “supplied equipment and labour to dismantle and remove industrial structures and fixtures, including stranders, outfeed conveyors, green bins, dryers, blenders, dry bins, resin tanks,...
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Nunavik partners with Cité Joie to provide temporary housing
By Dominique Gené, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services has partnered with a non-profit to provide Nunavimmiut living with disability, autism or mental health conditions the opportunity to stay at a camp outside Quebec City that meets their needs. The agreement with Cité Joie covers respite stays for up to one month and temporary housing for stays of one month to one year, for individuals who meet eligibility requirements. The facility in Lac-Beauport, just outside Quebec City, has seven rooms, a shared living room, a kitchen and a full-time nurse on site, said Olivier Piquer, Cité Joie’s director general. It’s located in a forested area with open green spaces and a lake. There are structured activities for visitors during their stay....
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BC Prosecution Service says appeal not viable after man accused of murder acquitted
By Darryl Greer The BC Prosecution Service says appealing the acquittal of a man accused of killing 33-year-old Vanessa Terry isn’t viable, after a judge tossed out incriminating statements made to police due to “degrading and humiliating” treatment by investigators after the man’s arrest. Terry, a mother of three, was found dead in her home on the Seabird Island First Nation reserve near Agassiz, B.C., on April 6, 2024, in a case of alleged intimate partner violence. Her former partner, Frederick Charlie, was charged with second-degree murder, but was acquitted last month after prosecutors called no evidence after Charlie’s alleged confession was ruled inadmissible by the judge. Terina Roberts, one of Terry’s sisters, says she has been angry and sad for the last 2 1/2 years and is still grieving...
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