TFN’s new underwater drone will strengthen environmental stewardship and marine monitoring
By Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Delta Optimist Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) just picked up a new high-tech gadget which will help them collect and manage their own underwater data and have more control over their environment. The ‘Revolution Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)’ features a 4k camera with a 260-degree revolving head that can collect visuals from 305 metres deep, even in low-light conditions. “We’ve been excited about something like this for a long time because we feel it has really good capability to enhance not only stewardship, but also environmental monitoring and, of course, Indigenous land management capacity,” said Krystal Lockert, member and natural resources manager of TFN. “This will allow us to independently inspect underwater conditions around terminals, marine infrastructure, and development projects, and also understand whether...
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Half-tonne of garbage collected at Tsawwassen Causeway beach
By Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Delta Optimist A Delta-based community group of 24 volunteers cleaned up 1,047 lbs of trash within four hours on Aug. 29 from a beach in Tsawwassen. This was one of three cleanups the group organized this year, bringing their total collected garbage and waste to nearly one ton from the causeway area. “These results raise significant questions about ongoing waste accumulation, illegal dumping, environmental stewardship, cleanup responsibility and preventative measures along the Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway,” said Maxwell Sudermann, founder and organizer of Common Ground Community Care group. The group provides practical, hands-on assistance to neighbours who can’t manage certain physical tasks on their own, such as cleaning and yard work. The group’s Sept. 8 report emphasized the walking-path section approaching the BC Ferries...
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Trial begins for man charged in fatal hit-and-run on Hwy 11
By Carrie Ivardi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — The trial for a man who was charged in relation to a fatal hit-and-run incident near Highway 11 in Long Lake #58 First Nation began on Friday. Gurmeet Singh Brar, of Edmonton, appeared in court for his trial before Justice Robin Lepere in a Thunder Bay courtroom and pleaded not guilty to failing to stop at a collision causing death. According to the agreed statement of facts, Brar told police following his arrest in May 2024 that he “didn’t see anyone.” The court heard that the body of Kathleen Desmoulin, 41, of Long Lake 58 First Nation, was discovered in the afternoon of Nov. 18, 2023. Greenstone OPP arrived on the scene and found a red running shoe, a...
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Three PMs: Carney recruits Chrétien, Harper to kick off investment summit
By Craig Lord Three prime ministers were on hand in Toronto to mark one of the largest private sector investments in Canadian history on Monday — the opening salvo in Mark Carney’s two-day summit aimed at attracting billions of dollars in capital to Canada. The deal in question was a massive data centre expansion planned by Bell in Saskatchewan, a move that the Montreal-based telecom giant’s CEO Mirko Bibic said will require $50 billion in capital investment to complete. In the room for the announcement was Carney and bipartisan pair of former prime ministers — Liberal Jean Chrétien and Conservative Stephen Harper — the latter of whom will deliver closing remarks at the inaugural investment summit on Tuesday. The event is part of Carney’s bid to improve Canada’s reputation...
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RCMP officer charged after baton launcher probe
By Brook Wagner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Medicine Hat News An Alberta RCMP officer has been charged with assault with a weapon and breach of trust after the province’s police watchdog investigated his use of a less-lethal baton launcher. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team arrested Constable Tyler Bell on Thursday, followed by the announcement of the charges in a news release on Friday. The charges stem from a call in the Atikameg townsite on Sept. 10, 2025. ASIRT says the incident took place after RCMP officers responded to a report of a man with a large knife. ASIRT investigators examined how the officer used the baton launcher, while also reviewing the officers reports and statements. ASIRT began it’s investigation on Oct. 8, 2025, after an allegation of excessive force....
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Fort Nelson First Nation unveils new look council, community education board
By Edward Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT NELSON, B.C. — Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) revealed its first look at its new council after its election on Sept. 9. FNFN elections are based on prominent families within the community, with each councillor representing a particular family. A Chief Councillor is then elected from the council. Curtis Dickie was elected as the new Chief Councillor, replacing Archie Harrold. Harrold, however, was re-elected to the council. Joining them will be Aaron Dendys, Calvin Capot Blanc, Patricia Capot Blanc, Amber Lloyd and Stephanie Parson. In fact, Patricia Capot Blanc and Harrold are the only remaining members from the previous administration. The newly elected community education board was also sworn in on Sept. 10 at FNFN’s Arbour. The roundtable consists of former...
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Indigenous legislation among top issues at Union of B.C. Municipalities convention
By Wolfgang Depner An annual gathering of municipal leaders from across British Columbia is underway with the province’s Indigenous rights legislation high on the agenda, along with housing and public safety, among other topics. The Union of B.C. Municipalities convention runs until Friday in Vancouver and president Cori Ramsay said the future of B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act would be top of mind for many of the nearly 2,000 expected delegates. “I think it’s going to draw a ton of attention,” she said of a session on Tuesday to serve as a platform for both supporters and critics of the legislation. The convention program describes the session as bringing together various perspectives, with presenters including legal experts, the chiefs of two First Nations, and Laura Jones,...
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Carney’s investment summit draws protests by Indigenous leaders, eco groups
By Alessia Passafiume Prime Minister Mark Carney’s high-stakes pitch for foreign investment is also attracting protests by Indigenous leaders and civil society groups opposed to his agenda. Hundreds of executives and global asset managers descended on Toronto on Monday for Canada’s first-ever national investment summit. Carney has set an ambitious goal of attracting $1 trillion in new investment over the next five years. Demonstrators, including representatives of labour unions, Indigenous leaders and climate and housing advocates, plan to mobilize against the event and protest outside the summit’s opening gala. Protest organizers say they reject the idea of leaving Canada’s economic future in the hands of CEOs and worry about the future of public services, pipelines and arms manufacturing. Speaking in Toronto on Monday, Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’Moks said Carney has...
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Carney’s investment summit draws protests by Indigenous leaders, eco groups
By Alessia Passafiume Prime Minister Mark Carney’s high-stakes pitch for foreign investment is also attracting protests by Indigenous leaders and civil society groups opposed to his agenda. Hundreds of executives and global asset managers descended on Toronto today for Canada’s first-ever national investment summit, and Carney has set a lofty goal of attracting $1 trillion in new investment over the next five years. Demonstrators, including labour unions, Indigenous leaders and climate and housing advocates, are mobilizing against the event and plan to protest outside the summit’s opening gala later today. Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’Moks says Carney is blackmailing the public into thinking Canada needs to build more major projects to protect itself from predatory U.S. trade policy. He says no projects will go forward without support from Canadians and Indigenous...
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‘He fought addiction, and he won’ First Nation announces treatment centre
By John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner Two leaders who have battled addiction were front and centre at an announcement to build a new, $1.3-million treatment centre in Bilijk, a small community west of Fredericton battling a drug and alcohol crisis. Last week, Justice Gruben, a 28-year-old from the First Nation who was recently elected chief, and Rob McKee, the justice minister who is also responsible for addictions and mental health services in New Brunswick, took the podium at the press conference. The money from the provincial and federal governments will go toward an outpatient treatment centre in the heart of the community expected to open next spring. The Bilijk Health Centre is already helping 75 out of the registered population of about 700, but it does...
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‘I made friends that that will last a lifetime’: Nunavut youth reflect on boating trips with Ayalik Fund Slugline: LJI-NU-camp
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Audrey Okpakok, 16, from Gjoa Haven went on her second canoe trip through the Ayalik Fund this July. She and the other Nunavummiut took a 11-day voyage with Jackpine Paddle near Yellowknife. “It was so awesome getting to be out there with people, like getting to know people,” Okpakok said. “I made friends that that will last a lifetime.” The girls canoed 10 km every day, which was exhausting, “but worth it,” according to Okpakok. Learning how to swim for the first time was one of the skills Okpakok picked up on her trip. It took her nearly a week to get the hang of it. “It was scary, but it was fun,” Okpakok said. She also learned how to...
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Indigenous turnout remains low in Quebec amid calls for political inclusion
By Marieke Glorieux-Stryckman There are a number of signs scattered along the suburban streets of the Mohawk community of Kahnawake, across the river from Montreal. A few of them have messages that read “Every Child Matters” or “This is Mohawk Land.” Some feature the local language of Kanien’kéha. But election campaign posters or signs are nowhere to be found in Kahnawake, even though a Quebec general election is only a few weeks away. “We don’t want to participate or be involved in (the elections) in any way, nor do we want it to be right in our face,” said Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Grand Chief Cody Diabo. If someone tried to put up a sign, they’re swiftly taken down, said Diabo. Recently, a video of someone tearing down a sign...
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Ontario minister pledges better communication during wildfire season
By Liam Casey Ontario’s natural resources minister has pledged better communication on wildfires going forward. Mike Harris says the province can do a better job talking with communities when forest fires are approaching. First Nations criticized Harris and the government’s response this summer when wildfires ripped through their lands, saying they were either warned late or heard nothing at all. About 200 fires raged in northern Ontario in July, leading to the evacuation of more than a dozen communities, many of them remote First Nations. First Nations leaders have also called for a public inquiry into the province’s response to the wildfires, a request that Harris has not committed to fulfilling. Harris announced today that the province is investing more than $20 million to upgrade two major wildfire attack bases...
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Woman dies after saying NIHB failed to arrange travel
By Maya Ekman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY – On Aug. 19, Miranda Mamakwa of Fort Severn First Nation posted to social media, “If I die, [pls] go after ’em.” On Tuesday, Mamakwa died at the Thunder Bay hospital after missing four follow-up appointments for open-heart surgery she said were not arranged by the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program. The NIHB’s program exists to ensure access to health care, including transportation and accommodation, for First Nation members. There have been multiple concerns raised about the shortcomings of the program this year, including demands from physicians and politicians, and program recipients at recent rallies. According to Mamakwa’s social media as well as the Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority (SLFNHA) and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), Mamakwa had open-heart surgery...
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Ottawa offers faster access to tax rulings as Carney kicks off investment summit
By Craig Lord Ottawa is tweaking tax policy to make Canada more attractive to international investors just as Prime Minister Mark Carney is welcoming scores of global asset managers to Toronto. The federal government said in a press release Monday that investors putting $1 billion or more into the Canadian economy will now get priority access to a program that offers binding decisions from the Canada Revenue Agency. Through the existing Advance Income Tax Rulings (AITR) program, qualifying investors can get clarity on how income tax law will apply before they commit capital. “When investors are considering major projects, certainty matters,” Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a media statement. “By prioritizing advance tax rulings for investments of $1 billion or more, we are giving them the clarity and predictability...
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Six Nations Police and MTO hold commercial vehicle safety inspections
OHSWEKEN, ON, September 14, 2026 – The Six Nations Police Service (SNPS), with the assistance of the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), are conducting commercial vehicle inspections on vehicles entering the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory today ( Monday, Sept., 14, 2026). SNP said the inspections are being conducted in tandem with SNPS’s back-to-school traffic safety blitz with the aim to help keep local roadways safe for motorists, pedestrians and students. SNP said they are also being conducted in response to community concerns about roadway damage caused by heavy commercial traffic. Inspections will ensure vehicles meet safety requirements and are in proper working condition. SNP said previous inspections have identified a number of safety concerns, including faulty equipment. As a result, commercial vehicle operators have received warnings and, in...
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Unleash bounty of wealth: Lecce
By Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce addressed a gathering in Thunder Bay on Thursday during the Central Canada Resource Expo at the Projects in the Pipeline conference, minutes after a provincial cabinet shuffle. “I feel like I won the lottery because I’m remaining the minister of energy and mines in this province,” Lecce said. “And we’ve got a lot of work to do.” When the minister last visited Thunder Bay last year, he said he came with a bias of action and a sense of urgency in his voice. “Today it is quite obvious that we are up against the threat of our lives,” he said, adding that within the last generation, there has never been a more real existential challenge...
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Death comes after missed followup care
By Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal The death of a mother of three young children who was unable to receive “life-saving” followup care in the wake of her open-heart surgery this spring highlights repeated failings of a federal medical-travel program for Indigenous people who live in remote communities, Indigenous officials said this week. According to a joint news release from Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, Fort Severn First Nation resident Miranda Mamakwa was unable to travel for medical followups after her surgery on four separate occasions between the end of May and early August. “These appointments were mandatory for her recovery and survival,” the news release said. It wasn’t immediately clear on Friday why Mamakwa’s travel couldn’t be completed. According...
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Carney teases economic activity already spurring from investment summit
By Kathryn Mannie Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada has an unprecedented opportunity to build up the economy as global investors descend on Toronto for a high-stakes summit. Hundreds of executives and global asset managers are arriving in Toronto for Canada’s first-ever investment summit to get a look at major projects in various stages of development. The Prime Minister’s Office later released a list of attendees that names a number of Canadian political officials as well as banking, business and industry leaders. Speaking Sunday evening at the Royal Ontario Museum, Carney told Canadian business leaders and politicians that the world is looking at Canada differently, and that Canada should do the same. Carney also teased that a number of deals have already been signed. “We have what the world wants:...
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Indigenous legislation among top issues at Union of B.C. Municipalities convention
By Wolfgang Depner An annual gathering of municipal leaders from across British Columbia opens in Vancouver today with the province’s Indigenous rights legislation high on the agenda, along with housing and public safety, among other topics. The Union of B.C. Municipalities convention runs until Friday and president Cori Ramsay says the future of B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act will be top of mind for many of the nearly 2,000 expected delegates. Ramsay says local governments are highly committed to reconciliation and have been working for years to build relationships with First Nations. But the city councillor from Prince George, B.C., says uncertainty has stemmed from recent court rulings, including a successful challenge by First Nations to B.C.’s mineral tenure system The B.C. Court of Appeal ruled...
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