Today in History
Nov 1 In 1999, Ronald (Lasagna) Cross, died. He was one of the most visible native players in the 1990 Oka crisis that pitted Mohawks against police and eventually the Canadian army. Nov 3 In 2021, Indigenous writers Katherena Vermette and Tomson Highway took home the top prizes at the Writers’ Trust Awards. Vermette, a Red River Métis author and poet in Winnipeg, won the $60,000 fiction award for “The Strangers.” Highway, based in Gatineau, Que., received the $60,000 non-fiction award for “Permanent Astonishment: A Memoir.’’ Nov 4 In 1997, in a landmark decision, a New Brunswick court ruled that aboriginals own the crown lands and forests of New Brunswick. In 1869, Louis Riel seized Fort Garry in Winnipeg during the Red River Rebellion. In 2015, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau...
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Haudenosaunee Nationals ‘optimistic’ about playing at L.A. Olympics
By John Chidley-Hill The Haudenosaunee Nationals are still hopeful they can play lacrosse at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. An Indigenous people that live in Ontario, Quebec and New York, the Haudenosaunee invented lacrosse centuries before European settlers arrived in North America. In recognition of their role as creators of the game, the Haudenosaunee Nationals have competed separately from Canada and the United States in all international lacrosse competitions for decades. “We’re cautiously optimistic, but we’ve still got a big lift to do yet,” said Leo Nolan, executive director of the Haudenosaunee Nationals, on playing at the Olympics. “We’re working in that regard.” Men’s lacrosse was contested at the 1904 and 1908 Olympics. Canada won gold both times and a team comprised entirely of Haudenosaunee athletes playing under the Canadian...
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SPORTS BRIEFS: Stars register another road win
By Sam Laskaris Writer Stars register another road win For the second straight weekend the Six Nations Stars hit the road and managed to pull out a road win. The Stars downed the West Oxford Inferno 3-1 on Sunday in a match held at the Embro Arena. The Six Nations squad, which competes in the South Western Ontario Women’s Hockey League, is now sporting a 2-1 record this season. The Stars, who play their home games at the Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Centre, were edged 4-3 by the Norfolk Hericanes on Oct. 23. But they rebounded from that setback to blank the Woodstock Wildcats 3-0 on Oct. 25. Keyara Jacobs, Shay Martin and Jenesica Drinkwater scored the Stars’ goals in their victory against the Inferno. The Stars’ next...
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Jets snap Ironmen winning streak
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Ironmen tasted defeat on Sunday for the first time this season. But Ryan Davis, the head coach for the local Senior A men’s hockey squad, is not overly concerned. The visiting Strathroy Jets downed the Ironmen 7-3 in a Northern Premier Hockey League match held at the Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Centre. The Six Nations club had kicked off its 2026-27 campaign with four straight victories. “The streak ended (Sunday),” Davis said. “We’ve just got to start another one. I’m pretty sure we can get one going again.” The Ironmen return to action this Saturday with a road contest versus the Akwesasne Wild. Six Nations defeated the visiting Wild 8-5 in their first meeting last month. “They will be a different...
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Arena Lacrosse League draft coming up
By Sam Laskaris Writer As it turns out Darcy Powless will not have to do a major revamp of the Six Nations Snipers, the defending Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) champions. A few weeks ago, Powless, who is the head coach and general manager of the Snipers, thought there was a chance he could lose several of his key players to the professional American Box Lacrosse League (ABLL), which will kick off its inaugural season in early 2027. And that could have had drastic consequences for the Snipers, who are preparing for this weekend’s ALL draft, which will be held Sunday in Brampton. The new U.S. league, which is expected to feature four franchises, is keen to include various Indigenous players. Powless was supportive of the idea of players from his...
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Abolishing Indian Act not a ‘get out of jail’ free card: Rama chief
By Danielle Pitman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, OrilliaMatters.com To abolish or not to abolish? To let it be or not to let it be? That is the question when it comes to the “archaic” Indian Act. “It’s a complex piece of legislation,” Chippewas of Rama First Nation Chief Ted Williams said of the legislation that has returned to the spotlight in recent weeks. The Indian Act applies to more than 600 First Nations across Canada in various stages of development. A lot of conversation is required because even considering one part of the legislation leads to other sections that need to be addressed, said Williams. Despite being surprised by Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s statements last week, Williams agrees the Indian Act is outdated. “It’s an archaic piece of legislation,” he...
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Two NWT youth addressing Senate about making life better for Indigenous communities
By Kody Ferron, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yellowknifer Eight Indigenous youth from Across Canada, including two from the NWT, are speaking their piece in the Canadian Senate for Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders 2026. Participants are testifying on Oct. 27-28 before the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples about the realities facing present-day First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities and prospects for the future. Makayla Mantla, from Behchoko, and Jaylene Neisa Delorme, a Yellowknives Dene from K’atl’odeeche First Nation, are representing the NWT. “Right now I’m feeling nervous, and maybe not sleeping well,” Mantla said ahead of her Oct. 28 presentation in Ottawa. Despite the nerves, she said she’s beginning to grasp how big an opportunity this is for her and for her family. In January of 2024 her public speaking...
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Nunavut Arctic College students can take bachelor of education program in Iqaluit as early as next year
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Nunavummiut taking bachelor of education courses at Memorial University won’t have to move to St. John’s, N.L., for much longer. Students can instead complete their degree at Nunavut Arctic College’s Iqaluit campus, Memorial University announced on Oct. 29. The teaching program could come to the territorial capital as soon as next fall, if Nunavut Arctic College meets all the regulatory requirements in time. That regulatory work is still in the early stages, according to the minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, David Akeeagok. “Rather than requiring Nunavummiut to leave their communities to access higher education, a Nunavut degree program would allow knowledge, research, leadership development and professional training to occur within Nunavut and according to Inuit and Nunavut priorities,” Akeeagok...
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Alberta pledges $14M from iGaming revenue to bridge rural-urban casino charity divide, premier announces
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Macleod Gazette A new grant drawing from Alberta’s iGaming revenue will help even the playing field for charities that lack access to big city casino nights, the premier was set to announce this morning. Premier Danielle Smith was scheduled to bring news of the program worth $14 million in its first year to the fall convention of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, a cabinet minister said. Rural charities, the RMA and its more urban-focused counterpart, ABmunis, “have been asking for something like this for years,” said Dale Nally, the minister of Service Alberta and red tape reduction. “They’re going to be very happy to hear that they’re getting this. It’s going to be a good day for rural Alberta,” Nally told The...
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Northern B.C. Nations, analysts react to Conservative election victory
By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Uncertainty and uneasiness remain ahead for B.C. First Nations with regard to DRIPA following elections in the province. Energeticcity.ca spoke to local First Nations’ interests following the Conservative Party’s decisive victory in the recent provincial election. On Oct. 24, the B.C. Conservative Party swept to its first election victory in nearly a century, with Lorne Doerkson now premier-designate. Part of the party’s platform throughout the campaign was the intent to repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIPA). Enacted in 2019, DRIPA serves as the province’s “framework for reconciliation,” aligning provincial laws and other policies in conjunction with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). In the days since the election, Doerkson has...
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RCMP investigate photo of man in Nazi uniform while trick-or-treating in Nova Scotia
A mother in the Halifax region says she was shocked to see a man trick-or-treating on Saturday wearing what appeared to be a Nazi uniform. Paige Hoveling said her community of Cole Harbour, N.S., about 10 kilometres east of Halifax, is diverse and tightly knit. She said she was confused and then alarmed when she saw the man in a dark uniform wearing a red armband emblazoned with a swastika amid happy families on Halloween. “Millions of people died because of people that wore these uniforms,” she said in an interview Tuesday. “I want people to be aware that this is not OK. It’s not OK to spread hate in our community, and it’s not OK to make your neighbours feel unsafe in the place where they live.” Hoveling said...
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‘Complete recklessness’ warrants criminal probe into federal officals: Lawyer
By Maya Ekman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — “In this country, when wanton disrespect of life is displayed, people get investigated,” says Julian Falconer. A criminal investigation into public officials and the delivery of a program is “exceedingly rare” said Falconer, the human rights lawyer representing the family of Miranda Mamakwa as they seek just such an investigation. The 31-year-old mother from Fort Severn First Nation died on Sept. 8 after the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program did not provide the mandated transportation for her to receive follow-up care for open-heart surgery. “The First Nations are absolutely captive to this program,” said Falconer, explaining that four different requests for transportation to already scheduled appointments, made by proper channels and supported by a doctor’s letter, were not...
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Alberta bill to limit institutional speech, comments from post-secondary schools
Alberta is proposing a new law that would restrict post-secondary schools from being able to weigh in on social and political issues. Myles McDougall, Alberta’s Advanced Education Minister, tabled the Advanced Education Statues Amendment Act Tuesday afternoon. If passed, it will require post-secondary schools to develop and implement institutional neutrality and freedom of expression policies, which McDougall could review. The policies would bar post-secondary institutions, like universities and colleges, from making official statements on global political, social and ideological issues outside of their “academic mission.” Beyond that, the bill has wide-reaching policy changes that would also authorize McDougall to set maximum tuition amounts for programs or groups of programs and enable the government to set minimum requirements for student codes of conduct. As far as making official university statements, McDougall...
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New School District 27 board sworn in, ready to get to work
By Khushi Arora, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Williams Lake Tribune Michael Franklin was the acclaimed chair of the Cariboo-Chilcotin school board as trustees took their oaths of office on Nov. 2, beginning a four-year term with priorities ranging from strong community connections to support for indigenous voices and student learning. Trustees also cast ballots to elect a vice-chair, with Ella Brown, Jenny Philbrick and Melissa Coates nominated for the position. Coates was elected to serve alongside Franklin. Dancing Water Sandy, the district’s principal of Indigenous education and a Williams Lake First Nation member, welcomed those gathered to the territory. Her son William Lulua presented trustees with medicine pouches intended to offer strength and support as they began their work together. “Those medicines are to help uplift and hold the...
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B.C. First Nation buys major Sunshine Coast forestry operation in $80M deal
Western Forest Products and the Tla’amin Nation say they have completed a deal that transfers ownership of a major forestry operation to the First Nation. A joint statement says the Tla’amin forestry arm has acquired a 100 per cent ownership interest in the Stillwater Forest Operation near Powell River, B.C., for about $80 million after adjustments. It says the operation spans about 1,540 square kilometres of land, most of which is located on Tla’amin traditional territory on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast. The statement says the nation, through its forestry business, will manage an annual allowable cut of 469,200 cubic metres of timber from the tree farm licence. It notes the nation’s forestry business and Western Forest Products have at the same time entered into a long-term fibre supply agreement to sell...
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New Westminster’s new mayor and councillors take their seats at the council table
By Theresa McManus, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Freshet News The inaugural meeting of the 2026 to 2030 city council marked a number of firsts for the City of New Westminster. At the Nov. 2 inaugural council meeting, Daniel Fontaine was sworn in as New Westminster’s new mayor. Six councillors — including incumbents Paul Minhas and Tasha Henderson, and newcomers Ken Armstrong, Karima Budhwani, Rick Folka and Maryann Morrison — also took their oaths of office on Monday night. Fontaine told the crowd the newly elected council includes a number of firsts for New Westminster city council: Fontaine and Morrison, who are both Métis, become the city’s first Indigenous mayor and first Indigenous female councillor Budhwani is the first Ismaili Muslim woman elected to council Armstrong is the first city councillor...
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Midterms bringing in wave of historic firsts for some states – and for the nation
By Terry Tang Going into Election Day, this midterm featured one of the most diverse slates of both Democratic and Republican candidates in recent years. Now it is shaping up to be a wave of historic leadership firsts across the country. Voters on Tuesday night elected the first Black female governor, the first Native American female governor, the first Muslim U.S. senator, the first Native woman senator and the first openly gay male U.S. senator. Most are Democrats, but the GOP has also broken some new ground. While some of these candidates have avoided focusing on the inherent historic value of their race, gender, religion or sexual orientation, some voters’ rights advocates are celebrating how the electorate has expanded. “These firsts show how our country is changing,” Alexis Anderson-Reed, president...
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Six Nations Emergency Services respond to motorcycle accident
Six Nations Police and Emergency Services were on the scene of a single motorcycle accident at the corner of Highway 54 and Chiefswood Road shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday Nov., 3, 2026. While traffic was allowed to continue along Highway 54, Chiefswood Road was blocked as fire, police and ambulance responders treated at least one person at the scene. (Photo by Jim C. Powless)...
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Hydro-Québec projects deficit that could force it to rely on U.S. and other provinces
Hydro-Québec has released a report suggesting it may need to import electricity from neighbouring provinces or the United States within the next three years. The state-owned utility’s new supply plan for 2027—2041 projects an “extremely high” increase in the demand for energy in the coming years. The utility expects this demand could cause it to face energy deficits as early as 2029. Hydro-Québec anticipates that Quebec’s electricity demand will increase by 60 terawatt-hours by 2041, representing an increase of over 30 per cent. The supply plan shows expected growth in demand for the electrification of transportation, data centres, and for energy retrofits of buildings that currently rely on fossil fuels. The report paints a picture of a province with an ever-increasing appetite for electricity, which will require “unprecedented” investments to...
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Latest estimate for new Fort Simpson health centre is 2033
By Eshana Gohil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio A proposed new health centre and long-term care facility for Fort Simpson remains in the planning phase, the N.W.T. government says, with a target opening date of 2033. In a written response to Cabin Radio, the Department of Health and Social Services said funding has been allocated for that planning work. Previously, the facility had a planned opening date of 2029. Before that, residents were told 2016, then 2023. The GNWT said it is preparing a request for proposals for geotechnical and environmental studies at an off-island site selected through engagement with the Village of Fort Simpson, Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation and Fort Simpson Métis Nation. Those studies will help determine whether the site is suitable for development, the territory said....
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