Hudbay resuming operations at Manitoba mine after wildfire spurred evacuation in July
Hudbay Minerals Inc. says it’s resuming its Snow Lake mining operations after it halted work in July due to wildfires in northwestern Manitoba. The Toronto-based company says the Manitoba Wildfire Service has lifted a mandatory evacuation order for the Town of Snow Lake. Hudbay Minerals says there was no structural damage to its infrastructure and facilities. The company also says it completed an infrastructure safety review. John O’Shaughnessy, vice president of Hudbay’s Manitoba unit, says he credits the company’s emergency preparedness with safeguarding its facilities. O’Shaughnessy says Hudbay expects a full return to operations. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 27, 2025. Companies in this story: (TSX:HBM) ...
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‘Moving forward together’: 49th BC Elders Gathering lifts spirits
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Vancouver, BC – Braving an intense August heat wave, British Columbia elders made the journey to Vancouver’s Canada Place overlooking the Burrard Inlet for the 49th Annual First Nations Elders Gathering on Aug. 26 and 27. Spirits soared as the boom of traditional drumming filled the air for the Grand Entry, a parade of nations led by cultural hosts the Squamish Nation Elders (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Siiyúxwa). “I raise my hands to each and every one of you, my friends and relatives,” said Squamish First Nation spokesperson Swo Wo (Wilson Williams). “Thank you for bringing the gifts of your people – your elders – here to spend some time. We hope you enjoy our home very much, this beautiful place we have lived...
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First Nations woman rejoins Ontario Hockey Federation board of directors
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com The board of directors for the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) will once again have Indigenous representation. That’s because earlier this month, Gayle Payette, who served on the OHF board from 2022 through 2024, was selected to fill a board position for one year. Payette, a member of M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island, is believed to be the first Indigenous person to have served on the OHF board. After her initial term, Payette decided not to seek re-election last year. At the time, however, she made it clear that perhaps she would be willing to return to the association’s board at some point down the line. “I said there’d be a possibility in the future,” Payette said. “I wasn’t really firm on...
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Inuvik to host first strangulation training amid increased cases
By Aastha Sethi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio A two-day training session on the dangers of strangulation, hosted by the Inuvik Justice Committee, is taking place in the town next month. Eva Kratochvil, the town’s victim services coordinator, said she has noticed an increase in cases involving strangulation, making training an urgent need in a territory that ranks second for domestic violence rates across Canada. “We’ve noticed an uptick in the number of files where a victim has been choked or strangled by the abuser,” she told Cabin Radio. “We also are recognizing that victims are not necessarily aware of the profound danger this presents to them.” Kratochvil said strangulation is one of the strongest predictors of future homicide in domestic violence cases. According to a 2017 study titled...
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Two bodies were missed at B.C. death scene. Was treatment of coroners to blame?
By Darryl Greer When police attended a single-room occupancy building in East Vancouver three years ago, they found the body of “Jimmy” Van Chung Pham, a man with a criminal history who would later be described as a predator by the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. What police did not notice at the time were the bodies of missing Indigenous teenager Noelle O’Soup and a woman called Elma Enan, whose decomposing remains were only located months later in the tiny room that Vancouver police told the CBC was occupied by an “extreme hoarder.” The attending officer is now facing a neglect-of-duty investigation by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, B.C.’s civilian police oversight agency. But the two bodies had also gone unnoticed by a second investigator — the...
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RCMP seize firearms, weapons in Stoney Nakoda arrest
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook MÎNÎ THNÎ — A Mînî Thnî man has been charged with possession of prohibited weapons and careless use of a firearm. Cochrane RCMP responded to a call outside a Stoney Nakoda First Nation residence on Friday (Aug. 22) after witnesses reported windows being smashed and a man with a gun. The suspect had fled the area before the police arrived on scene but was later arrested at a traffic stop. “The quick and coordinated response by our officers ensured that a potentially dangerous situation was brought under control without harm to the public or police,” said Insp. Dave Brunner, officer in charge of Cochrane Detachment in a press release. Police seized three unauthorized firearms and prohibited weapons after the Cochrane...
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Mississaugas of Credit First Nation Pow Wow a friendly favourite for crowds
Beat of the Drum drew crowds to the annual Three Fires Homecoming Powwow Carly McHugh Writer MISSISSAUGAS OF CREDIT FIRST NATION-It was all about the beat of the drum when seven generations came together in perfect weather for the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation’s (MCFN’s) Three Fires Homecoming Pow Wow, from Aug. 22 to 24. The sound of the drum echoed through the community drawing not only Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation’s (MCFN) members but crowds of over 1,700 people from as far away as Toronto to as close as Brantford and Hamilton to the community’s grove area over the weekend event. The 37th annual event combined five drum circles and 151 dancers with arts and crafts, a native plant garden, and a variety of exhibits and vendors...
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Six Nations languages expand with focus on growing speakers
The Six Nations Language Commission says its programs are steadily expanding, but challenges around funding, accreditation, and space continue to stand in the way of full revitalization. The update came during Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) General Finance meeting on August 18, where coordinator Karen Sandy and her team presented their annual report. “Our main focus is creating speakers via the programs,” Sandy said. ”The Mohawk program was the main one running last year; they had two cohorts. A first year and a second year, which they were successful, to my knowledge. Then we also had a first year Cayuga running and then for this year coming we have Mohawk again. They have one cohort and then we’re gonna have the Cayuga second year and then Onondaga first year.” Sandy...
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ISC funding amendments approved by SNEC
Six Nations accepted budget amendments from Indigenous Services Canada for lands and housing as well as a donation from a community member owned company for fire evacuees. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approved amendments to its five-year comprehensive funding agreement with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), bringing in more than $147,000 in new money for lands, wellness, and housing during its August 18 General Finance meeting. The amendments provide $37,500 for lands and resources negotiation support, and $65,000 for housing management subsidies in the 2025-26 fiscal year. SNEC says it has $44,500 for mental wellness support tied to paying the bill for costs of the wildfire evacuations invitation that brought evacuees from Niagara Falls to Six Nations for the day. The donation came from Grand River Insurance. Councillor Alaina VanEvery questioned...
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Six Nations Police lay charges after firearm discharged, “projectile” causes minor injuries
OHSWEKEN, ON-An Ancaster man is facing weapons, threats and assault charges after a firearm was discharged in an incident at a Seneca Road warehouse. Six Nations Police (SNP) responded August 19, 2025 to a report that a firearm had been pointed at an individual the day before. SNP said a verbal altercation had occurred on August 18, 2025, at a warehouse on Seneca Road and during the altercation a firearm was discharged and minor injuries occurred as a result of a “projectile”. SNP said they could not comment on the victim’s injuries or what the projectile involved was. As a result, SNP have arrested and charged Andrew Hadaddin, 34, of Ancaster, Ontario with the following offences:- Firearm pointing- Possession for a Dangerous purpose- Assault with a weapon- Firearm: unauthorized possession-...
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NDP leader blasts Bill 5 and government health policies at Toronto wellness conference
By Sam Laskaris Writer Marit Stiles insists the fight is not over. Stiles, the leader of Ontario’s New Democratic Party (NDP), attended the opening day of the First Nations Community Wellness Conference held at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. The three-day event, which began Aug. 19, included a lunch session which provided Stiles, and four other NDP politicians, an opportunity to provide some remarks and have a Q and A with conference delegates. The conference was organized by the Chiefs of Ontario. Stiles, who heads up the official opposition party in the province, kicked off the session by blasting the leading Conservative party and the June passing of its Bill 5, officially called the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025. Stiles said it was a privilege for...
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Where’s the money coming from…?
First Nation membership offices across the country are about to be hit with a deluge. A B.C. Supreme Court decision could, without any doubt, spawn a flood at band membership offices in coming days. The court decided, Aug. 19th, that Canada had, through its Indian Act, denied status to the children of Indigenous people who enfranchised themselves. People who gave up their status for a variety of reasons and as a result the move that was passed on to their future generations. It stems from a B.C. court case that was launched by 16 people who said they were “deprived of the benefits” of status under the act,” because a parent or grandparent decided to enfranchise themselves. Benefits that included education monies, tax exemptions, access to land or any treaty...
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Today in History
August 27 In 1973 the R. v. Bedard; A.-G. Can v. Lavell Decision Is Released. Originally two separate cases, the Bedard and Lavell cases both addressed gender discrimination within the Indian Act. In particular, they challenged the removal of Indian Status from Indigenous women who married non-status men. The cases were merged when they were reviewed by the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court rejected claims that the Canadian Bill of Rights invalidated the Indian Act, allowing the continued removal of Indian Status from women who married men without status. Despite this decision, the section of the Indian Act at issue in the case was removed by Bill C-31 in 1985. August 28 In 2017 The Dissolution of INAC and introduction of two new ministries occurred Implementing a recommendation...
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Youth Rising Together Rally In Mattagami FN
Xavier Kataquapit Writer Youth Rising Together held a rally in Mattagami First Nation to allow local First Nation youth an opportunity to show their support of grassroots youth movements. The event was led by youth organizers in Mattagami FN to give voice to young people in the community who are concerned about recent government legislation. Chief Jennifer Constant spoke to the group and showed her support to First Nation youth as they voiced their concerns regarding legislation that will affect First Nation lands and rights in the future. “It’s important for our leadership to support our youth. The youth taking a stand is always an important process to support. They are doing the advocacy that is innate in all Indigenous people. I feel that this is not just for Mattagami...
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Rivermen star has hall of fame roots
By Sam Laskaris Writer A player with some rather famous relatives is among those hoping to help lead the Six Nations Rivermen to some success at this year’s Presidents Cup. David Anderson, a late-season acquisition, is in Whitby this week with the local Senior B men’s lacrosse squad. The Rivermen are one of eight clubs participating in the national tourney, often simply called The Prezzy. Anderson, who is 24, is the grandson of the late Gaylord Powless. And his great-grandfather was Ross Powless. Gaylord and Ross are considered among the greatest lacrosse players from Six Nations. Both are Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductees. Anderson’s mother Michelle is Gaylord’s daughter. Anderson, who is 24, was already playing in the higher calibre Major Series Lacrosse (MSL), which features Senior A teams,...
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Pro women’s golf event partnered with First Nation
By Sam Laskaris Writer Many of the top women’s golfers in the world were in Mississauga this past week. They were participating in the lone Canadian stop on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) circuit. The four-day event, called the CPKC Women’s Open, which concluded on Sunday, was held at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club. Besides thousands of fans, those in attendance were representatives from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN). Tournament officials had signed a partnership with the First Nation prior to the event as the Mississaugua course is located on MCFN treaty land. MCFN officials were staffing an information booth throughout the tournament. “It’s a chance for us to expose our history of this specific site to the outside world,” said Darin Wybenga, MCFN’s acting...
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National Lacrosse League franchise relocates to Oshawa
By Sam Laskaris Writer A pair of Six Nations members will no longer have to drive about a dozen hours round-trip to play their professional lacrosse home games. Goaltender Doug Jamieson and Blake Gibson-McDonald, who plays transition, suited up for the Albany FireWolves during the 2024-25 National Lacrosse League (NLL) season. But it was officially announced this past week that the FireWolves, who played out of Albany for four seasons, would be moving to Oshawa, starting with the 2025-26 campaign, expected to commence in November. The franchise will play its home games at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa. Jamieson and Gibson-McDonald will not be the only Six Nations pro players who will benefit from the FireWolves’ relocation. Local players are spread out throughout the rosters of the 14-team league,...
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Norwegian hiker whose body was found in northern Manitoba drowned, says family
By Brittany Hobson The family of a Norwegian hiker whose body was recovered over the weekend from the shores of the Hayes River in northern Manitoba says an autopsy shows the man drowned. Steffen Skjottelvik, 29, was on a cross-continental journey of the Canadian wilderness when he set out on foot with his two dogs from Fort Severn, Ont., to York Factory, Man., last month. He was expected to arrive in York Factory on Aug. 15 but never made it. Police had said Skjottelvik may have tried to cross the swift-moving Hayes River and got swept up. Ground and air searchers found his body on Sunday near York Factory, and it was sent to Winnipeg for an autopsy. Family spokesperson Christian Dyresen said police told Skjottelvik’s relatives in Norway on...
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Carney says Canada will soon announce funding for port infrastructure
By Catherine Morrison Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday that expansions to ports in Montreal and Manitoba could be among the first projects fast-tracked under his government’s new major projects bill. Carney said the government will make an announcement about new port infrastructure “in the next two weeks.” “There is a lot happening, it’s the number 1 focus of this government is to build that infrastructure,” Carney said. “And, particularly, infrastructure that helps us deepen our partnership with our European partners.” The ports comments came as Carney was in Germany and then Latvia on Tuesday, expanding trade ties in Europe with new agreements on energy and critical minerals. Getting products like liquefied natural gas and critical minerals to Europe will likely require infrastructure upgrades at several Canadian ports. Carney specifically...
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Woman being sued for calling four others ‘pretendians’ says she’s protecting identity
By Alessia Passafiume A First Nations woman is being sued for calling four women “pretendians,” with the plaintiffs seeking more than $500,000 in damages and retractions to the heavily publicized comments made about them. Michelle Christine Cameron, also known as Crystal Semaganis, who heads the Ghost Warrior Society, says she conducts research to safeguard community spaces designated for Indigenous Peoples and says those pretending to be Indigenous pose a real harm to communities and nations. In the lawsuit filed in July to the Supreme Court of Yukon, Amanda Buffalo, Krista Reid, Amaris Manderschied and their mother Louise Darroch, say Semaganis conducted research into their backgrounds and concluded they are of Ukrainian heritage, not Indigenous, and then engaged in a “relentless” social media campaign against them. Tina Yang, a lawyer with...
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