Editorial: What were they thinking?
The CBC and APTN were planning to launch a so-called satirical show on Indigenous issues…more specifically on residential schools. Let me say that again…a satirical show on residential schools. It doesn’t matter what “bend” they plan to take there is absolutely nothing humorous about residential schools. It doesn’t matter what angle they were planning to take, how they were framing it or what their intention was. It was wrong! The only surprise is APTN was a partner in this scheme. CBC and APTN planned to launch what they were billing as a satirical show on Indigenous issues. They planned to enlist actors, feature interviews with people who have been critical of residential schools and then announce it as a Borat-style prank, an attempt to get people to drop their guard,...
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Today in History
May 31 In 2007, in his final report, Ipperwash inquiry commissioner Sidney Linden found the government of former Ontario premier Mike Harris, Ottawa and the OPP all bore responsibility for events that led to aboriginal protester Dudley George’s death. Linden called for the disputed land to be returned immediately to the Stoney Point First Nation, along with compensation, and recommended Ontario establish a permanent, independent and impartial agency to facilitate and oversee the settling of land and treaty claims. (The Ipperwash standoff began when about 30 unarmed protesters occupied the park in the summer of 1995. The protesters said it contained a burial ground destroyed when a military camp was built on the land during the Second World War). June 1 In 2011, military aircraft evacuated nearly all 1,200 residents...
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Rivermen register first road win to extend winning streak
By Sam Laskaris Writer They had already proven they could take care of business at home. And the Six Nations Rivermen also showed they can also have success on the road this past Saturday. The Rivermen, the local Senior B lacrosse squad, defeated the host Ennismore James Gang 12-7 in a match held at the Lakefield Arena. For the Rivermen, who had opened their Ontario Series Lacrosse season with three consecutive home wins playing out of the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA), Saturday’s contest was their first road game of the season. Six Nations head coach Wayne Hill obviously likes the way the season has transpired thus far for his charges, who are sporting a perfect 4-0 record. “It’s been going good for so far,” he said. “We’ve got a good...
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Chiefs’ winning streak hits three with road victory in Cobourg
By Sam Laskaris Writer Following a season-opening home victory, the Six Nations Chiefs also registered a pair of road victories. The Chiefs, the three-time defending national Mann Cup champions, registered their third straight W with a convincing 19-9 triumph over the host Cobourg Kodiaks on Sunday. The Six Nations squad had kicked off its Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) 2026 campaign by blanking the Owen Sound North Stars 12-0 on May 18 at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). That match coincided with the community’s annual Bread and Cheese festivities. The Chiefs then hit the road and beat the host Peterborough Lakers 11-6 last Thursday. “Of course, I’m happy with 3-0,” Chiefs’ head coach John Tavares said moments after Sunday’s victory. “But we have high expectations of going far with this team....
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Attack commence regular season with games in Mississauga
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Grand River Attack did manage to win a championship in 2025. But it wasn’t the title that members of the Six Nations-based women’s lacrosse squad would have preferred. The Attack captured the B championship at the Women’s Major Series Lacrosse (WMSL) season-ending provincial tournament held last August in Peterborough. Ideally, team members would have wanted to be one of the four clubs that had advanced to the A category playoffs at the Peterborough tourney. The Attack is now gearing up for its 2026 regular season schedule. The club will kick off its season with a pair of games this Saturday at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga. The Grand River club will square off against the Mississauga Badgers in a tilt set for 10:45...
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OPP charge driver for possession of what they described as “contraband” tobacco
HALDIMAND, ON – A 67-year-old man is facing “contraband” tobacco charges after Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop May 26, 2026 on Argyle Street South . OPP said while speaking with the driver about the traffic stop, an officer saw boxes of “suspected illegal cigarettes” in plain view inside the vehicle. OPP did not say how many boxes were confiscated. OPP charged a 67‑year‑old man from Stouffville, Ontario they said was “found to be in possession of contraband cigarettes” in violation of the Tobacco Tax Act. The man was charged with the following offences under the Tobacco Tax Act: Possession of Unmarked Cigarettes for Sale, Possession of Unmarked Cigarettes. All boxes of illegal cigarettes were seized and secured as evidence. The accused was released from the scene...
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B.C. Indigenous relations face ‘fraught context’ but treaty commissioner undeterred
By Wolfgang Depner Relations between the British Columbia government and First Nations plunged this year as Premier David Eby grappled with how or whether to amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which he once championed. The province is also engaged in two high-profile appeals against court rulings that sided with First Nations, while a debate rages over their impact on property rights, development and the legislative landscape in B.C. As George Abbott takes over as head of the BC Treaty Commission, would he prefer congratulations or condolences? Abbott, a former BC Liberal minister for Aboriginal relations and reconciliation, said in an interview that he was “very much honoured” by his new role, facilitating treaties with First Nations in the province. “I think it’s a really important...
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Judge recommends better vaccine campaigns, housing after Alberta boy’s death
By Aaron Sousa A judge has recommended better vaccination campaigns and solutions to overcrowded housing after the death of a six-year-old Indigenous boy in northern Alberta. Provincial court Justice Claus Thietke says in a fatality report says the boy died on Nov. 13, 2020, at a local nursing station after complaining of abdominal pain and hours spent vomiting. The fatality inquiry, held in October 2024, heard that meningococcus bacteria in the boy’s bloodstream led to an infection, and his organs began to fail. Thietke’s report, released Tuesday, says the boy lived with about 20 relatives on a First Nation near Fox Lake, in a house that lacked running water and sewage facilities. Thietke says such conditions “should not be tolerated,” as evidence heard at the inquiry showed they can increase...
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Fire bans expand across Saskatchewan amid dry weather
By Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SaskToday.ca NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN — Several rural municipalities across Saskatchewan have implemented fire bans or restrictions as dry conditions continue to increase wildfire concerns. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is encouraging residents to check its interactive fire ban map for updated restrictions affecting municipalities, parks and First Nations communities across the province. The Rural Municipality of Buckland issued a municipal fire ban May 26, effective 11:30 a.m., due to an extreme fire hazard condition within the municipality, according to the public notice. Under the order, all open-air fires are prohibited, all existing burning permits have been suspended and the lighting or discharge of fireworks is banned until further notice. Other municipalities have also implemented restrictions in response to ongoing dry conditions. The RM’s...
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Manitoba premier calls on Alberta to pause its fall separation vote for ‘year or two’
By Dayne Patterson and Bill Graveland Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew urged Tuesday for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to pause her fall separation referendum. Kinew, speaking directly to Smith at the annual meeting of western and northern premiers, said with all provinces signing and building megaprojects — including pipelines — this isn’t the time for such uncertainty. “Now is the time to work together,” Kinew said as the leaders met with reporters to wrap up their two-day meeting in Kananaskis, Alta. “Why don’t we hold off on this referendum talk for a year or two, so we can get these pipelines under construction? “Because at the end of the day, we want Canada to succeed.” Smith’s office later confirmed it doesn’t plan to delay the vote. Smith has said she wants...
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Judge delivers manslaughter verdicts in gun sale that led to Edmonton police deaths
By Daniela Germano A young man who sold a semi-automatic rifle later used to kill two Edmonton police officers has been found guilty of manslaughter in a rare case his lawyer argued would be used to expand criminal liability for gun violence across the country. Dennis Okeymow sat still next to his lawyer, his hands in his lap, as he was convicted Tuesday on three counts of manslaughter. The 21-year-old was also convicted on three counts of criminal negligence causing death, two counts of unlawfully causing bodily harm and two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. Justice John Little said while Okeymow didn’t pull the trigger, by selling a semi-automatic rifle to 16-year-old Roman Shewchuk, the man knew or should have known something terrible could result. Okeymow was charged...
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Nunavik police chief welcomes reform report as review begins
By Dominique Gené, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Nunavik’s police chief says he feels positive about about a recent report aimed at reforming the region’s police service but won’t commit to saying whether he believes all of its recommendations are feasible. Procured by the Kativik Regional Government and released earlier this month, the report makes 35 recommendations for rebuilding public trust in the police service, creating a police training program led by Inuit, and changing hiring requirements to increase Inuit representation. “My approach to the report is very positive,” chief police Jean-François (Jeff) Bernier said Tuesday in an interview. “But for me, it’s too soon to say this or that recommendation I’m completely against.” Bernier is the regional government’s representative on the Nunavik Public Security Committee, which is reviewing...
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Attorney General Sharma says B.C. supports company’s request to reopen Cowichan case
By Wolfgang Depner British Columbia’s attorney general says it is rare to reopen a court case as significant as the landmark Cowichan Tribes title decision, but the government supports an effort to do so by the largest private property owner in the title area. Niki Sharma says Montrose Properties will be able to bring forward details about how it has been affected by the ruling that Aboriginal title is a “senior interest” compared to fee-simple title. Montrose owns about 120 hectares in the overall title area of 300 hectares granted by the judge, but the court didn’t hear from private landowners during the initial case, so the company is asking a B.C. Supreme Court judge in Victoria to reopen the case. The same judge hearing Montrose’s arguments through to Wednesday...
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Exceptionally early heat wave shatters records and brings deaths in Europe
By Jill Lawless LONDON (AP) — The United Kingdom smashed a century-old temperature record for the second time in 24 hours on Tuesday as a spring heat wave scorches parts of Western Europe, triggering government warnings about risks to life. Several drownings were reported in Britain and France as people tried to cool down. A temperature of 35.1 degrees Celsius (95.2 degrees Fahrenheit) was recorded at London’s Kew Gardens, Britain’s Met Office weather service said, breaking the 34.8 C (94.6 F) record set a day earlier at Kew. The provisional readings smashed the long-standing record of 32.8 C (91.4 F) set in 1922 and matched in 1944. London also recorded a rare “tropical night,” defined as one in which the temperature does not fall below 20 C (68 F). Records...
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Millions of people have been placed in new voting districts. Here’s where the redistricting stands
By David A. Lieb A frenzied redistricting effort ahead of the November elections has reshaped congressional voting districts for millions of Americans — and it isn’t over yet. Since President Donald Trump urged Texas Republicans to redraw U.S. House districts last year, Republicans in Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida and Tennessee also have enacted new maps that could help the party win additional seats in the midterm elections. Louisiana is expected to join those ranks soon, and Alabama Republicans are appealing a court decision blocking a map they support. So far, Republicans think they could gain as many as 14 seats from their redistricting efforts while Democrats think they could gain six seats from new districts in California and Utah. Trump hopes the unusual mid-decade redistricting can help Republicans retain...
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Blackfoot artist turns survival story into public art across Alberta
By Chevi Rabbit, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News A powerful voice in Alberta’s contemporary Indigenous art scene, Ryan Willert has built a visible creative legacy across Red Deer and beyond – one shaped as much by hardship and recovery as by paint, ceremony, and public space. A member of the Stimson family and part of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Willert describes himself simply as a “Blackfoot artist.” His work now spans murals, installations, and community-based projects displayed in schools, hospitals, and public buildings throughout Alberta. Born and raised in Southern Alberta, Ryan Jason Allen Willert is a professional muralist known for large-scale public works rooted in Blackfoot teachings and storytelling. Raised primarily in non-Indigenous communities before reconnecting with his Siksika Nation roots, he learned black-ink drawing and art sales...
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Judge recommends better vaccine campaigns, housing after Alberta boy’s death
By Aaron Sousa A judge has recommended better vaccination campaigns and solutions to overcrowded housing after the death of a six-year-old Indigenous boy in northern Alberta. Provincial court Justice Claus Thietke says in a fatality report says the boy died on Nov. 13, 2020, at a local nursing station after complaining of abdominal pain and hours spent vomiting. The fatality inquiry, held in October 2024, heard that meningococcus bacteria in the boy’s bloodstream led to an infection, and his organs began to fail. Thietke’s report, released Tuesday, says the boy lived with about 20 relatives on a First Nation near Fox Lake, in a house that lacked running water and sewage facilities. Thietke says such conditions “should not be tolerated,” as evidence heard at the inquiry showed they can increase...
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syilx Okanagan Nation declares watershed emergency: ‘We’re in a crisis right now’
By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews The syilx Okanagan Nation has declared an emergency across six of its major watersheds in response to worsening droughts, declining fish populations, and growing threats to long-term water security throughout its territories. The declaration, issued Wednesday by the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), applies to the Okanagan, Simikameen, Nicola, Kettle, Salmon and Bessette watersheds across B.C.’s southern Interior. Chief Robert Louie, of Westbank First Nation (WFN), said it is urgent that all of the region’s governments work more closely together to address the threats to siwɬkʷ (water). “The syilx Nation is acting within its inherent jurisdiction and responsibility to protect siwɬkʷ for future generations,” Louie said in the declaration. “Water is life, and the health of our watersheds can no longer be treated...
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Puppeteer hits the streets to document homelessness
By Alexandra Noad, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lethbridge Herald A puppeteer from the Tsuut’ina Nation, located west of Calgary, well loved for his creation of a cast of Native characters, took to the streets to document life of the homeless population in several cities across the country, including Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge, which can be found in his novel “See-Me Street.” DeRic Starlight says he was inspired by the movie “Supersize Me”, which features someone who ate solely at McDonald’s for an entire month. Starlight wondered what it would be like to live in a homeless shelter for a month, and he spent a month living on the streets in Calgary. What was only supposed to be a one-month experiment became something much bigger. “I got to know a community...
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Tsawwassen backs K’ómoks and Kitselas ratification amid mounting territorial disputes
By Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Delta Optimist Drawing on nearly two decades of self-governance, Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) is endorsing the ratification of the K’ómoks and Kitselas Final Agreements. The Nation asserts that the success of these new treaties is a vital legal precedent required to unlock TFN’s own pending treaty modifications. TFN became the first Nation to enter into a modern treaty under the B.C. process in 2009, and operates with its own constitution, laws, and elected government. While Kitselas and K’ómoks have navigated the treaty process since the early 1990s, ratification faces significant pushback. The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs and neighbouring Nations — including the Wei Wai Kum and the Lax Kw’alaams Band — have called for a legislative pause, citing unresolved territorial overlaps. Despite...
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