Kinew sits with First Nations leaders to honour children at school burial site
By Brittany Hobson Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew took part in a ceremony with Indigenous groups this morning at a campground located on a burial site for children who died at a residential school. Kinew sat with First Nations leaders and elders in a teepee erected at the Turtle Crossing Campground, south of the former Brandon Indian Residential School in western Manitoba. The ceremony comes on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and the day after the provincial government announced it partnered with the City of Brandon to purchase the private campground. The Sioux Valley Dakota Nation says more than 50 children are buried at the site. A person walks past a cemetery before a ceremony to hand over campground land to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in Brandon, Manitoba, on...
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Kent Monkman debuts beaver sculpture in Toronto’s ambitious new waterfront park
By Alex Nino Gheciu Kent Monkman’s first-ever public art installation is dam good. The celebrated Cree artist’s new permanent sculpture, dubbed “The Colony,” debuts Wednesday in Toronto’s east end. The 15-foot-high bronze structure features beavers dancing, feasting and celebrating, evoking Indigenous ceremonies. It highlights the vital role of beavers in the natural, Indigenous and colonial histories of Turtle Island, says a release. The public artwork is located in Toronto’s Biidsaasige Park along the Lassonde Art Trail, an ambitious open-air museum. Monkman says its site, where the Don River meets Lake Ontario, is especially meaningful, as it’s been an important waterway for several First Nations for thousands of years. “I can’t think of a better place for these beavers, inspired by the fanciful beavers of Veremondo Rossi’s 18th-century engraving, to gather...
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Behind the Bricks: Rick Hill on the History and Legacy of the Mohawk Institute
By Maisha Hasan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Burlington Local-News.ca As part of the Burlington Public Library’s Culture Days events, author Rick W. Hill Sr. will be speaking about the collection of essays in Behind the Bricks, an exploration of the history of the Mohawk Institute, a former residential school in Brantford and the longest-running residential school in Canada. Hill, a historian and museum curator, co-edited the collection alongside Alison Norman, Thomas Peace, and Jennifer Pettit. Hill, a member of the Beaver Clan of the Tuscarora Nation of the Haudenosaunee at Grand River, has a personal connection to that history: his great-grandfather attended the Mohawk Institute in the 1870s, and one of his aunts later attended the school. Ahead of his appearance in Burlington on Sept. 30, 2026, Hill spoke with...
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In unusual move, province opens court facility to serve First Nation
By John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner A First Nation in northwestern New Brunswick is celebrating the creation of a new court facility to serve its Indigenous members, eliminating a barrier to justice, says the community’s chief. In an unusual move, the Holt Liberal government agreed to set up the court facility for members of Neqotkuk, or Tobique First Nation, in the nearby settlement of Carlingford, only about a 14-minute drive away. Neqotkuk’s chief and council, elders and other community members joined with Chief Judge Brian McLean of the provincial court, former lieutenant-governor Graydon Nicholas (who is from Neqotkuk) and Social Development Minister Cindy Miles to officially open the new court facility this past Thursday. “This has been a long-time coming,” Chief Ross Perley said in a...
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A painful truth meets a willing reconciliation
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Aaju Peter wants Inuit to know they have rights, even if governments are slow to act. The lawyer and activist says the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 brings to mind the pace of progress in her birthplace of Greenland and her home in Nunavut. “When you look at the recommendations by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, very few of them have been implemented. Many of them are stalled, and many others haven’t even been looked at,” Peter said. Non-profit organization Indigenous Watchdog says 41 per cent of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action are either not started or delayed as of Aug. 1. But the federal government says it’s completed or working on...
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From Conversation to Action: Indigenous Policing Summit Highlights Community-Led Approach
By Chevi Rabbit, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News For members of Maskwacis, attending the Indigenous Policing Summit in Saskatchewan provided an opportunity to listen, learn and bring new ideas home. Several members attended the summit, which brought together speakers and policing representatives from across Canada to discuss Indigenous policing, community safety and the importance of meaningful relationships between police and First Nations. For Cst. A/Cpl. Catlin Chiasson of the Maskwacis RCMP, the summit reinforced an important message: conversations about Indigenous policing need to lead to action. “It was phenomenal that we had the opportunity to send several members there,” Chiasson said. “From what I’ve heard, the speakers from across Canada were speaking about not only having conversations, but conversations that come to fruition. So, action. Having that action...
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The right to truth — and justice — need to be part of this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
By Pauline Wakeham, Professor, Department of English and Writing Studies, Western University This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site. ___ Author: Pauline Wakeham, Professor, Department of English and Writing Studies, Western University Since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada released its 94 Calls to Action in 2015, institutions and communities across the country have developed programming to increase awareness of the residential school system. This is vital work. However, this is only part of what reckoning with truths about colonial injustices requires. Such reckoning is not only a moral obligation or societal responsibility; it is also a legal one. In international law, investigation of the truth...
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Canada’s Indigenous health obligations can’t be separated from rights and reconciliation
By Jamaica Cass, Associate Dean, Indigenous Health, York University, Canada; Queen’s University, Ontario This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site. ___ Author: Jamaica Cass, Associate Dean, Indigenous Health, York University, Canada; Queen’s University, Ontario Health disparities affect Indigenous people across Canada. As the country marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this week, a need exists to reiterate that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people must be partners in health research decisions that affect their lives. A House of Commons committee recently recommended removing all references to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the process for awarding federal research funding. The Standing Committee on Science and Research...
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Grand River Employment and Training’s Job Fair
Turtle Island News’ own photographer, Jim Powless decided to try out some heavy equipment with the help of Shane Hill at Grand River Employment and Training’s Job Fair at the Gathering Place last week. The decision…a camera is lighter! (Turtle Island News Photo)...
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SN Elected Council planning for multi-billion dollar lawsuit claim
Planning is underway over what comes next with Six Nations multi -billion-dollar land claim lawsuit expected to start next month The multi-billion suit is headed to trial on October 5, 2026. A Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) committee is in the beginning stages of finding out what the community needs and wants. SNEC’s Community Engagement Committee is preparing to gather input from community members that could help shape a future community action plan following the pending litigation involving the federal and provincial governments. The Community Engagement Ad Hoc Committee received SNEC approval of its terms of reference at the Sept., 22 council meeting. Councillor Dayle Bomberry, who spoke to the recommendation, said the committee was established to gather community input in advance of the litigation. The court case is scheduled...
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Most researchers seeking Six Nations information hoarding data
Six Nations has been the subject of at least 371 research applications over the years, but only 31 per cent of those projects have resulted in research data being returned to the community. The figure was one of several concerns raised by the Six Nations Research Ethics Committee, (SNREC) which told Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) at its General Council meeting on September 22. The SNREC said protecting the community means going beyond approving research projects, it means ensuring Six Nations has a say in how research is conducted, how its information is controlled and what comes back when the research is finished. Rachel VanEvery, SNREC secretary, said the committee’s role is particularly important given Six Nations’ history of being researched without always having control over the information collected. “Our...
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Six Nations Health Foundation works include over $200,000 donation White Pines Wellness Centre
The Six Nations Health Foundation (SNHF) has contributed funds toward health and wellness initiatives in the community over its 14-years, including the White Pines Wellness Centre, dialysis services, hospice care, emergency services and community programs. Ruby Jacobs and Bonnie Davis from the foundation came to Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Council meeting September 22 to request $1,000 in support of its upcoming annual golf tournament. At the same time they outlinined SNHF’s history and the work it continues to do to support health and wellness needs that are not covered through SNEC’s core funding. Jacobs said the foundation was established after community advocacy around diabetes and health needs. Incorporated in 2014 as a not-for-profit corporation and charity it has a mandate that includes fundraising for health and wellness needs...
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Six Nations Elected Council updating financial reporting
Six Nations Elected Council’s Finance Committee is pushing for greater financial transparency and regular departmental updates after reviewing the organization’s first-quarter financial report. Councillor Alaina VanEvery, Chair of the FInance Committee presented the April-to-June 2026 quarterly report and called for financial updates to be provided to Council committees going forward. VanEvery also recommended changing the agenda’s description of the report from “Q1 2026-27 interim unaudited financial statements” to a quarterly financial report, noting that the document contains revenue and expenditure information rather than full financial statements. The report provides an overview of year-to-date spending, budget variances and departmental finances. She said regular updates would help committees monitor spending, identify potential surpluses or deficits and avoid surprises at year-end. VanEvery members also proposed that individual committees receive quarterly financial snapshots for...
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Editorial: Mr. Prime Minister…can you hear the drums pounding…?
Is Prime Minister Mark Carney about to repeat himself. Tension is simmering between the Prime Minister and First Nations leaders. And it shouldn’t be a surprise. The former banker has not only made fast tracking major projects a focus of his term. He seems to be in a rush. He wants the government’s major projects moving and, like any banker, has a plan to fast-track them. The question is where is the First Nation voice in the banker’s move. He says he plans to meet with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in a coming joint meeting scheduled for October 26, 2026. While we don’t know yet what is on that agenda it is expected to address economic growth, infrastructure, and Indigenous rights. An agenda that should also caution Carney...
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Letters to Editor: Councillor: Six Nations Land Crisis
By Helen Miller Six Nations has a land crisis. One of the reasons is that people who amassed money from the cigarette industry upped the ante on an acre of land. Back in the day land was $2000 an acre while today land has jumped to $20,000 – $40,000 an acre and in some cases higher. We know the housing policy says any band member wanting a housing loan must have an acre of land. So, under the current situation people who do not have family land are finding it difficult if not impossible to buy an acre of land to build a house. The Six Nations Reserve has a lot of land. The problem is it’s inaccessible. In driving around the reserve, we see empty fields. Some are farmed;...
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: Respecting The Land Is Reconciliation
By Xavier Kataquapit This is the time of the year when Canada commemorates the Truth and Reconciliation process which was meant to address the dark period of cultural genocide created by the Indian Residential School system. The government of Canada established the residential school system through a network of church-run institutions to assimilate Indigenous children into European culture. It lasted well over a hundred years in Canada. In 2008, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission led by the late Chair Justice Murray Sinclair spent six years gathering testimony from survivors across the country. It was meant to record their testimony and document the truth from actual survivors of this terrible period. This process directly impacted my family and every family along the James Bay coast. Both my parents Marius and Susan...
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Six Nations member selected in first round of NLL draft
By Sam Laskaris Writer David Anderson knew that he wouldn’t have to wait too long to hear his name called at this year’s National Lacrosse League (NLL) draft. But even the Six Nations member himself was a bit surprised at how early he was selected. The Georgia Swarm drafted Anderson in the first round, ninth over-all, in the draft, which was held this past Thursday. “It was a really competitive draft this year and a lot of good players (were eligible),” Anderson said in a phone interview with The Turtle Island News, the morning after he discovered which pro franchise had obtained his playing rights. “I was fortunate enough to hear my name being called in the Top 10. But it definitely was unexpected, kind of startled me for a...
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Styres joins Navan Grads for 2026-27 season
By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations member Kane Styres has headed to eastern Ontario for his third junior hockey season. Styres, a 17-year-old defenceman, had spent the past two seasons playing with the Caledonia Corvairs, a Junior B squad that competes in the Greater Ontario Hockey League. Styres, however, has moved up a notch on the hockey ladder this season. He’s joined the Navan Grads, an Ottawa-area Junior A club that participates in the 12-team Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). Styres did score a goal in one of the Grads’ pre-season matches. But he was pointless in his first five regular season contests with the Navan team. Styres and his teammates won two out of their first five games this season. The Grads are one of six entrants in the...
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New American pro box lacrosse league to launch in January
By Sam Laskaris Writer A new professional American box lacrosse league that has committed to building meaning relationships with Indigenous communities will launch this coming January. But it remains to be seen what sort of impact the American Box Lacrosse League (ABLL) will have on the amateur and established Ontario-based Arena Lacrosse League (ALL). The ALL features three squads that play their home contests out of the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, including the defending league champion Six Nations Snipers. The Ohsweken Bears and Paris RiverWolves also stage their home matches at the Six Nations facility. Both the Snipers and Bears traditionally have numerous First Nations players on their rosters. And there’s a chance several of these players will opt to join the ABL this coming year. For its 2027 season, which...
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Behind the Bricks: Rick Hill on the History and Legacy of the Mohawk Institute
By Maisha Hasan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Burlington Local-News.ca As part of the Burlington Public Library’s Culture Days events, author Rick W. Hill Sr. will be speaking about the collection of essays in Behind the Bricks, an exploration of the history of the Mohawk Institute, a former residential school in Brantford and the longest-running residential school in Canada. Hill, a historian and museum curator, co-edited the collection alongside Alison Norman, Thomas Peace, and Jennifer Pettit. Hill, a member of the Beaver Clan of the Tuscarora Nation of the Haudenosaunee at Grand River, has a personal connection to that history: his great-grandfather attended the Mohawk Institute in the 1870s, and one of his aunts later attended the school. Ahead of his appearance in Burlington on Sept. 30, 2026, Hill spoke with...
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