Interpol crackdown on illegal mining, logging and wildlife trafficking leads to 233 arrests
By Steven Grattan BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — An international crackdown on environmental crime across Latin America and the Caribbean led to 233 arrests and uncovered links between large-scale Amazon deforestation and companies across several continents, the international police organization Interpol said Wednesday. The two-month operation targeted illegal logging, gold mining and wildlife trafficking across nine countries, identifying some 60,000 hectares (148,000 acres) of illegally cleared forest — an area 10 times the size of Manhattan Island. But investigators increasingly focused beyond the people cutting trees, mining gold or trafficking animals to the companies, financial networks and international buyers suspected of profiting from environmental destruction. In one investigation originating in Colombia, authorities had identified 11 foreign companies suspected of involvement in clearing more than 52,000 hectares (128,500 acres) of protected Amazon...
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Don’t mistake attendance at a press conference as support for a pipeline, chief says
By Alessia Passafiume The grand chief of Treaty 8 First Nations stood behind Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith last week as they announced the Pacific Link pipeline was the first project deemed to be in the “national interest” under the Building Canada Act. But Trevor Mercredi said his presence shouldn’t be taken as a vote of confidence. “I want to be clear that our presence should not be interpreted as support for the project,” Mercredi told The Canadian Press. “Leadership was there to ensure our nations are not left behind. There are significant concerns that must be addressed, and it does not mean the pipeline is a done deal.” The national interest designation under the Building Canada Act, puts the pipeline proposal in line for streamlined...
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‘A terrible decision’: PM Carney set to open Canada’s four largest airports to private investment
By Benjamin Steeves, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Pointer Canada’s busiest airports could soon become laboratories for a new model of private investment as Prime Minister Mark Carney moves to hand decades-long operating concessions for those airports to private capital—a plan that is sparking questions about customer service, security for airport workers and impacts on municipalities that depend on the country’s largest aviation hubs. In his first budget , Carney hinted his government is considering changes to the ownership structure of airports across the country to “unlock more of the economic potential of Canada’s airports and consider new ways to attract private sector investment”. On September 15, a day after hundreds of protestors voiced opposition to the first-ever Canada Investment Summit and Carney’s focus on attracting private capital, with few...
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First Nations player starring at U of T eyes pro career
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com Gavin Hemeon and his teammates with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues football squad have yet to win a game this season. But Hemeon, a member of Red Rock Indian Band in northwestern Ontario, is remaining upbeat in what could potentially be his final season of university ball. The Varsity Blues saw their record fall to 0-5 on Oct. 3 when they were blanked 46-0 by the visiting Guelph Gryphons in a match held at Toronto’s Varsity Stadium. “It’s a rough start,” said Hemeon, a right tackle who packs 300 pounds onto his 6-foot-7 frame. “But we’ve still got three games left and I feel good about those three games. And I think we could win all three.” Hemeon, one of the...
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MPs spar over Carney’s major projects bill as Parliament returns
By Craig Lord and David Baxter Parliamentarians returned to Ottawa on Monday and Opposition members of Parliament had their sights trained firmly on the government’s 243-page economic and labour bill. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also squared off in question period Monday over whether the government has done enough to prioritize Canadian materials in its sweeping infrastructure agenda. Key to that agenda is the Building Canada Strong Act, or Bill C-39, which was introduced on the first day of the fall sitting on Sept. 21. The government’s landmark economic legislation proposes measures to create a one-year timeline for federal project decisions, create zones of “national interest” where certain projects are pre-approved, and change when the jobs minister can intervene in a labour dispute — a move...
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Six Nations business robbed, armed suspects fire shots as leaving the area
This Six Nations business was one of three hit by thieves early Tuesday morning (Oct., 6, 2026). Product and empty boxes were left scattered on the ground outside the entrance of North Nation Smokes the last of three businesses to be hit. (Photo by Lynda Powless) SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- Two Six Nations business were hit by breakins and a third was the scene of an armed robbery that saw shots fired before thieves made off with a large amount of merchandise and cash in a vehicle heading east towards Caledonia. Six Nations Police (SNP) said the series of breakins and robbery began Tuesday, (October 6, 2026), with police responding to an attempted armed robbery at a business on Highway 54, just east of Chiefswood Road. Police...
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MPs return for break with debate set on key legislation and new bill on the table
By David Baxter Parliamentarians are back in Ottawa where debate is set to continue on the government’s 243-page economic and labour bill, with plans to introduce legislation focused on national defence and security procurement. The government’s key piece of economic legislation, Bill C-39, proposes measures to create a one-year timeline for federal project decisions, create zones of “national interest” where certain projects are pre-approved and change when the jobs minister can intervene in a labour dispute — a move aimed at reducing the number of work stoppages. The legislation is expected to be pushed for committee study. Instead of going to a regular standing committee, the House of Commons will create a special committee to study the wide-ranging bill. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations,...
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Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal delivers full verdict
By Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eastern Door At the presentation of the final judgment of the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal, Sam Achneepineskum wondered if the government is waiting out residential school survivors like himself. “Even though overwhelmingly people have recognized that it happened and that we need to do something about it, I think they’re waiting for a time when our voices will become silent,” said Achneepineskum, who is from Marten Falls First Nation. But survivors’ voices have only grown louder across decades, he said. He is just one of the witnesses whose testimony was considered by the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal in Montreal in May, sharing his story so that the truth about a dark chapter in Canadian history may one day be fully reckoned with. The result...
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Michelle Good makes Giller Prize short list for 100K award for Canadian fiction
By Kaitlyn McGrath Order of Canada member Michelle Good is among the five finalists for Canada’s richest fiction award. The Giller Prize announced the short list for the prestigious award on Monday. Good is nominated for “Eliza Sunshine,” a multi-generational family saga that follows three generations of Cree women and the storytelling tradition that connects them. The Cree author, lawyer and activist had previously been longlisted for her 2020 novel, “Five Little Indians.” Also shortlisted are Tara Gereaux for “Wild People Quiet” which explores the repercussions of a woman’s decision to hide her Métis identity while living in a small prairie town in the 1940s and Nazanine Hozar for “The Small Ones,” which is about children caught up in a military insurgence along the Iran–Iraq border in the early 1980s....
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Tusaajiapik elders home residents being relocated to Montreal
By Daron Letts, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Residents of Kuujjuaq’s Tusaajiapik elders home are being relocated to private facilities in a Montreal suburb 1,500 kilometres south. The move, in response to technical issues with the building, was announced in a joint statement issued Wednesday and signed by Larry Watt, Ungava Tulattavik Health Center’s executive director, and Jennifer Munick-Watkins, Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services executive director. “Transfers have begun and will continue until all residents have been safely relocated,” the release stated. The relocation is part of a three-way agreement that also includes Argyle Inc.’s long-term housing and care centre, a private seniors home in the Montreal suburb of Pointe-Claire. “The agreement aims to provide for a safe, caring and culturally sensitive living environment, including occasional...
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NWT Metis Nation elects Garry Bailey for sixth term
By Kody Ferron, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yellowknifer Garry Bailey, who has been president of the NWT Metis Nation for 14 years, has reclaimed the organization’s top job. Bailey’s election win marks his sixth term, earning him another four years. The Metis National Council (MNC) congratulated Bailey on his win in a Sept. 21 social media post. “The MNC congratulates President Bailey on his re-election as NWTMN president,” reads the post. “Earlier this year, MNC and NWTMN signed a historic memorandum of understanding to strengthen our relationship, better understand priorities and explore more opportunities to work together. MNC looks forward to continuing this work with President Bailey while respecting the distinct rights, mandates, priorities and decision-making authority of Metis governments.” The NWT Metis Nation declined to provide NNSL Media with...
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Re-elected NWT Metis Nation President Garry Bailey eager to secure land claim
By Kody Ferron, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yellowknifer Recently re-elected NWT Metis Nation President Garry Bailey says despite being left out of historic treaties, the Metis Nation will continue working towards equality. “The cause is worth it for me. I think I was meant to do this,” Bailey said in an interview. “I love what I do.” The NWT Metis Nation represents roughly 2,700 members across three areas of the territory: Fort Resolution/Deninu, Fort Smith/Thebacha, and Hay River/Xatlo Dehe. Bailey was returned as president in September, earning him a sixth term after already serving in the role for 14 years. He said he’s feeling good about re-election and honoured to have been chosen to continue his work. “It’s been what I’ve been doing for most of my life,” he said....
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Nunavut non-profit welcomes Greenlanders, Americans, and anyone who wants to make a kayak
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News More than 20 people from Greenland, the U.S., Nunavik and Iqaluit came to the Qajakkut Society’s open house at the Inuit Heritage Trust building in Iqaluit on Sept. 29. The qajaq (kayak) building non-profit organization brought experts from around the world to work on the boats in Iqaluit. Kuluk Jensen Poulsen, 20, who grew up in Nuuk, Greenland, finished in fourth place in his country’s qajaq championships this year. Nunavummiut should take up qajaq as a sport, like Inuit in his country do, Jensen Poulsen said. “I wish they can start taking it as a sport and try to attend Greenlandic championships. They can attend as an international competitor. They can be there every July, every year,” he said. Jensen...
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Michelle Good makes Giller Prize short list for 100K award for Canadian fiction
By Kaitlyn McGrath Order of Canada member Michelle Good is among the five first-time finalists for Canada’s richest fiction award. The Giller Prize announced the short list for the prestigious award on Monday. Good is nominated for “Eliza Sunshine,” a multi-generational family saga that follows three generations of Cree women and the storytelling tradition that connects them. The Cree author, lawyer and activist had previously been longlisted for her 2020 novel, “Five Little Indians.” Also shortlisted is Toronto-based Patmeena Sabit for her debut national bestseller “Good People,” which tells the story of how a family’s private tragedy thrusts them into the court of public opinion. Patmeena Sabit’s novel “Good People” is shown in this handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout-Giller Prize (Mandatory Credit) Prince Edward Island-based author Nicholas Herring is nominated...
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Six Nations Police investigating armed robbery
OHSWEKEN, ON, October 5, 2026 – Six Nations Police Service (SNPS) are investigating a robbery that saw three armed suspects wearing masks make off with merchandise and cash after entering a Highway 54 business just east of Chiefswood Road in the early morning hours of October 5, 2026. SNPS said at about 6:00 a.m., three suspects entered the business wearing masks and carrying firearms. The suspects stole a large amount of merchandise and cash from the business before fleeing east off the Territory towards Caledonia. Police said after fleeing the area, shots were fired from the suspect vehicle. There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident. There is no danger to public safety. SNPS are currently working with Haldimand OPP to investigate this incident. Police are asking...
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Two First Nations members dead in northern Labrador boating accident
Two members of a First Nation in northern Labrador are dead after an accident on the water yesterday. The Mushuau Innu First Nation said in a social media statement Sunday that two of its members had lost their lives in an accident near Nain, N.L. RCMP say a distress signal came from a vessel Sunday afternoon. Police supported local ground search and rescue volunteers and the Canadian Coast Guard, which led the response. The Mounties said two people were found dead and the chief medical examiner’s office is involved. The First Nation’s statement thanked first responders and said the tragedy will have a profound impact on the community. “We also echo the (First Nation’s) call to avoid speculation and discussion online, out of respect for all those impacted,” the RCMP...
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Iqaluit’s low-barrier shelter to open in January
By Daron Letts, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Uquutaq Society’s new $40-million low-barrier shelter is slated to open in Iqaluit in January. The new building is located downtown at 158 Nipisa St., near The Snack Restaurant. “This is a low-barrier site, meaning you don’t need to be sober or unimpaired [to enter],” said society CEO Laurel McCorriston in an interview in September. Named by elders as Ullivik, which means “the place you wait for the tide,” the three-storey, 44-bed facility will offer 16 beds for women, 24 beds for men and two rooms for couples, which can also serve as private space for individuals in need of quiet or privacy. The building includes an additional 13 single-occupancy transitional housing units on the top floor. Currently, the only other low-barrier...
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Does Jordan’s Principle need reform, or just reliable funding?
By Mikaela Kassar, PhD Student in English, McGill University; and Phoebe Friesen, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Ethics, McGill University The House of Commons of Canada adopted Jordan’s Principle in 2007 to ensure First Nations children have equitable access to government services. In February 2025, Ottawa tightened the rules on what qualifies and the effects were swift. Figures filed at a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal hearing in January 2026 show that in Ontario, funding for educational supports under the principle was drastically cut after the change. In a six-month period, it fell from $122 million in 2024 to $1.2 million in 2025. The number of approved requests dropped precipitously, from 2,608 to 66. Families, service providers and communities across the country have been scrambling to pay for essential services such as educational...
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Yukon government hands new policing priorities to RCMP
By Noah Korver, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yukon News The Yukon government delivered an updated list of policing priorities to the RCMP’s M Division last week, outlining key focus areas for the territory over the next two years. According to a Sept. 25 Justice Department news release, the government has set three main priorities for police in the territory: Enhancing public safety and community confidence. Targeted policing of organized crime, drug trafficking and serious offenders. Policing in communities through strong relationships. The release says the priority list was developed after a lengthy consultation process between the government, RCMP, communities, First Nations Governments and other stakeholders across the Yukon. Speaking in a phone interview, Yukon minister of justice Laura Lang said that in engaging with communities across the territory, her government...
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Grassy Narrows River Run brings demands for mercury justice to Tkarón:to
By Daniel Opasinis, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews On the front lawn of Queen’s Park in Tkarón:to stands a tall statue of Sir James Pliny Whitney, Ontario premier from 1905 to 1914, whose government promoted mining and forestry development in northern Ontario. Over a century later, Glenn Cameron, councillor for Wabaseemoong First Nation (Whitedog), stood below that same statue. Holding a microphone connected to a portable sound system, he addressed a crowd gathered to demand action on the mercury contamination that continues to affect his community. On Wednesday, Sept. 23, members of Grassy Narrows First Nation, Whitedog, and organizers in Tkarón:to came together for the annual Grassy Narrows River Run. They are calling on Ontario and “Canada” to fairly compensate people in Grassy Narrows for the mercury crisis and stop...
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