Two NWT youth addressing Senate about making life better for Indigenous communities
By Kody Ferron, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yellowknifer Eight Indigenous youth from Across Canada, including two from the NWT, are speaking their piece in the Canadian Senate for Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders 2026. Participants are testifying on Oct. 27-28 before the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples about the realities facing present-day First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities and prospects for the future. Makayla Mantla, from Behchoko, and Jaylene Neisa Delorme, a Yellowknives Dene from K’atl’odeeche First Nation, are representing the NWT. “Right now I’m feeling nervous, and maybe not sleeping well,” Mantla said ahead of her Oct. 28 presentation in Ottawa. Despite the nerves, she said she’s beginning to grasp how big an opportunity this is for her and for her family. In January of 2024 her public speaking...
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Nunavut Arctic College students can take bachelor of education program in Iqaluit as early as next year
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Nunavummiut taking bachelor of education courses at Memorial University won’t have to move to St. John’s, N.L., for much longer. Students can instead complete their degree at Nunavut Arctic College’s Iqaluit campus, Memorial University announced on Oct. 29. The teaching program could come to the territorial capital as soon as next fall, if Nunavut Arctic College meets all the regulatory requirements in time. That regulatory work is still in the early stages, according to the minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, David Akeeagok. “Rather than requiring Nunavummiut to leave their communities to access higher education, a Nunavut degree program would allow knowledge, research, leadership development and professional training to occur within Nunavut and according to Inuit and Nunavut priorities,” Akeeagok...
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Alberta pledges $14M from iGaming revenue to bridge rural-urban casino charity divide, premier announces
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Macleod Gazette A new grant drawing from Alberta’s iGaming revenue will help even the playing field for charities that lack access to big city casino nights, the premier was set to announce this morning. Premier Danielle Smith was scheduled to bring news of the program worth $14 million in its first year to the fall convention of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, a cabinet minister said. Rural charities, the RMA and its more urban-focused counterpart, ABmunis, “have been asking for something like this for years,” said Dale Nally, the minister of Service Alberta and red tape reduction. “They’re going to be very happy to hear that they’re getting this. It’s going to be a good day for rural Alberta,” Nally told The...
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Northern B.C. Nations, analysts react to Conservative election victory
By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Uncertainty and uneasiness remain ahead for B.C. First Nations with regard to DRIPA following elections in the province. Energeticcity.ca spoke to local First Nations’ interests following the Conservative Party’s decisive victory in the recent provincial election. On Oct. 24, the B.C. Conservative Party swept to its first election victory in nearly a century, with Lorne Doerkson now premier-designate. Part of the party’s platform throughout the campaign was the intent to repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIPA). Enacted in 2019, DRIPA serves as the province’s “framework for reconciliation,” aligning provincial laws and other policies in conjunction with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). In the days since the election, Doerkson has...
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RCMP investigate photo of man in Nazi uniform while trick-or-treating in Nova Scotia
A mother in the Halifax region says she was shocked to see a man trick-or-treating on Saturday wearing what appeared to be a Nazi uniform. Paige Hoveling said her community of Cole Harbour, N.S., about 10 kilometres east of Halifax, is diverse and tightly knit. She said she was confused and then alarmed when she saw the man in a dark uniform wearing a red armband emblazoned with a swastika amid happy families on Halloween. “Millions of people died because of people that wore these uniforms,” she said in an interview Tuesday. “I want people to be aware that this is not OK. It’s not OK to spread hate in our community, and it’s not OK to make your neighbours feel unsafe in the place where they live.” Hoveling said...
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‘Complete recklessness’ warrants criminal probe into federal officals: Lawyer
By Maya Ekman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — “In this country, when wanton disrespect of life is displayed, people get investigated,” says Julian Falconer. A criminal investigation into public officials and the delivery of a program is “exceedingly rare” said Falconer, the human rights lawyer representing the family of Miranda Mamakwa as they seek just such an investigation. The 31-year-old mother from Fort Severn First Nation died on Sept. 8 after the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program did not provide the mandated transportation for her to receive follow-up care for open-heart surgery. “The First Nations are absolutely captive to this program,” said Falconer, explaining that four different requests for transportation to already scheduled appointments, made by proper channels and supported by a doctor’s letter, were not...
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Alberta bill to limit institutional speech, comments from post-secondary schools
Alberta is proposing a new law that would restrict post-secondary schools from being able to weigh in on social and political issues. Myles McDougall, Alberta’s Advanced Education Minister, tabled the Advanced Education Statues Amendment Act Tuesday afternoon. If passed, it will require post-secondary schools to develop and implement institutional neutrality and freedom of expression policies, which McDougall could review. The policies would bar post-secondary institutions, like universities and colleges, from making official statements on global political, social and ideological issues outside of their “academic mission.” Beyond that, the bill has wide-reaching policy changes that would also authorize McDougall to set maximum tuition amounts for programs or groups of programs and enable the government to set minimum requirements for student codes of conduct. As far as making official university statements, McDougall...
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New School District 27 board sworn in, ready to get to work
By Khushi Arora, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Williams Lake Tribune Michael Franklin was the acclaimed chair of the Cariboo-Chilcotin school board as trustees took their oaths of office on Nov. 2, beginning a four-year term with priorities ranging from strong community connections to support for indigenous voices and student learning. Trustees also cast ballots to elect a vice-chair, with Ella Brown, Jenny Philbrick and Melissa Coates nominated for the position. Coates was elected to serve alongside Franklin. Dancing Water Sandy, the district’s principal of Indigenous education and a Williams Lake First Nation member, welcomed those gathered to the territory. Her son William Lulua presented trustees with medicine pouches intended to offer strength and support as they began their work together. “Those medicines are to help uplift and hold the...
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B.C. First Nation buys major Sunshine Coast forestry operation in $80M deal
Western Forest Products and the Tla’amin Nation say they have completed a deal that transfers ownership of a major forestry operation to the First Nation. A joint statement says the Tla’amin forestry arm has acquired a 100 per cent ownership interest in the Stillwater Forest Operation near Powell River, B.C., for about $80 million after adjustments. It says the operation spans about 1,540 square kilometres of land, most of which is located on Tla’amin traditional territory on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast. The statement says the nation, through its forestry business, will manage an annual allowable cut of 469,200 cubic metres of timber from the tree farm licence. It notes the nation’s forestry business and Western Forest Products have at the same time entered into a long-term fibre supply agreement to sell...
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New Westminster’s new mayor and councillors take their seats at the council table
By Theresa McManus, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Freshet News The inaugural meeting of the 2026 to 2030 city council marked a number of firsts for the City of New Westminster. At the Nov. 2 inaugural council meeting, Daniel Fontaine was sworn in as New Westminster’s new mayor. Six councillors — including incumbents Paul Minhas and Tasha Henderson, and newcomers Ken Armstrong, Karima Budhwani, Rick Folka and Maryann Morrison — also took their oaths of office on Monday night. Fontaine told the crowd the newly elected council includes a number of firsts for New Westminster city council: Fontaine and Morrison, who are both Métis, become the city’s first Indigenous mayor and first Indigenous female councillor Budhwani is the first Ismaili Muslim woman elected to council Armstrong is the first city councillor...
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Midterms bringing in wave of historic firsts for some states – and for the nation
By Terry Tang Going into Election Day, this midterm featured one of the most diverse slates of both Democratic and Republican candidates in recent years. Now it is shaping up to be a wave of historic leadership firsts across the country. Voters on Tuesday night elected the first Black female governor, the first Native American female governor, the first Muslim U.S. senator, the first Native woman senator and the first openly gay male U.S. senator. Most are Democrats, but the GOP has also broken some new ground. While some of these candidates have avoided focusing on the inherent historic value of their race, gender, religion or sexual orientation, some voters’ rights advocates are celebrating how the electorate has expanded. “These firsts show how our country is changing,” Alexis Anderson-Reed, president...
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Six Nations Emergency Services respond to motorcycle accident
Six Nations Police and Emergency Services were on the scene of a single motorcycle accident at the corner of Highway 54 and Chiefswood Road shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday Nov., 3, 2026. While traffic was allowed to continue along Highway 54, Chiefswood Road was blocked as fire, police and ambulance responders treated at least one person at the scene. (Photo by Jim C. Powless)...
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Hydro-Québec projects deficit that could force it to rely on U.S. and other provinces
Hydro-Québec has released a report suggesting it may need to import electricity from neighbouring provinces or the United States within the next three years. The state-owned utility’s new supply plan for 2027—2041 projects an “extremely high” increase in the demand for energy in the coming years. The utility expects this demand could cause it to face energy deficits as early as 2029. Hydro-Québec anticipates that Quebec’s electricity demand will increase by 60 terawatt-hours by 2041, representing an increase of over 30 per cent. The supply plan shows expected growth in demand for the electrification of transportation, data centres, and for energy retrofits of buildings that currently rely on fossil fuels. The report paints a picture of a province with an ever-increasing appetite for electricity, which will require “unprecedented” investments to...
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Latest estimate for new Fort Simpson health centre is 2033
By Eshana Gohil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio A proposed new health centre and long-term care facility for Fort Simpson remains in the planning phase, the N.W.T. government says, with a target opening date of 2033. In a written response to Cabin Radio, the Department of Health and Social Services said funding has been allocated for that planning work. Previously, the facility had a planned opening date of 2029. Before that, residents were told 2016, then 2023. The GNWT said it is preparing a request for proposals for geotechnical and environmental studies at an off-island site selected through engagement with the Village of Fort Simpson, Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation and Fort Simpson Métis Nation. Those studies will help determine whether the site is suitable for development, the territory said....
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Midterms may bring in wave of historic firsts for some states and the country
By Terry Tang Featuring one of the most diverse slates of both Democratic and Republican candidates in recent years, this midterm election has set up a possible wave of historic leadership firsts across the country. Voters on Tuesday could propel into office the first Native American female governor and Native women senators, the first Black female governor,the first openly gay U.S. senator and the first Muslim U.S. senator, among other milestones. Most are Democrats, but the GOP could also break ground. While some of these candidates have avoided focusing on the inherent historic value of their race, gender, religion or sexual orientation, some voters’ rights advocates are celebrating how the electorate has expanded. “These firsts show how our country is changing,” Alexis Anderson-Reed, president and CEO of State Voices, a...
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B.C. First Nations file legal challenges of federal decision on Pacific Link pipeline
By Chuck Chiang First Nations in British Columbia have filed eight separate legal challenges to the federal government’s decision to list the proposed Pacific Link oil pipeline between Alberta to B.C.’s coast as a project of national interest, fast-tracking its review. Among them is Tsartlip First Nation on Vancouver Island, which said it filed a Federal Court application for judicial review on Friday, asserting Ottawa had not “given sufficient information about the project and its potential impacts.” Adam Olsen, a spokesman for the nation, called the pipeline decision “reckless” and “rushed,” saying in an interview on Monday that Ottawa had failed in its duty to consult Indigenous communities. “Tsartlip has a responsibility, as has been expressed by our chief and council, to look after its territory, stand up for those...
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Stoney Nakoda First Nation chiefs say ‘work to be done’ following Alberta referendum
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook ÎYARHE NAKODA – While leaders of the Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nations welcomed the results of last week’s provincial referendum, the three band chiefs say that the Alberta government now has work to do in “repairing relationships” with the Nations. In an Oct. 21 letter to Premier Danielle Smith, Bearspaw Chief Darcy Dixon, Chiniki Chief Aaron Young and Goodstoney Chief Clifford Poucette say the referendum process has “caused real and lasting division.” “Treaty rights and the nation-to-nation relationship with the Crown were never open to re-negotiation through a provincial referendum,” read the letter from the Treaty 7 First Nation Chiefs’ Association, which includes Stoney Nakoda First Nations and the Tsuut’ina Nation. “The fact that this process was allowed to proceed...
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‘Ceremony,’ doc about Nuxalk fight for ancestral lands, to stream on Netflix
By Nicole Thompson Netflix has acquired the Canadian rights to an award-winning documentary about a First Nation’s fight for their ancestral lands. The company says “Ceremony,” which premiered at South by Southwest in March, will be available to stream next year. The film, which was directed and produced by Banchi Hanuse, examines the disappearance of the ooligan — a small fish also known as candlefish — from Nuxalk territory 26 years ago. It draws a line from the vanishing of the fish back to a land claim filed at the same time smallpox was introduced to the First Nation. In a press release, Hanuse says it took her 12 years to tell the story properly, and soon the Canadian people will be able to hear it for the first time....
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Tsawwassen’s re-elected chief Laura Cassidy targets sustainable, people-first growth for second term
By Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Delta Optimist Re-elected on Oct. 17, Tsawwassen First Nation chief Laura Cassidy is heading into her second term focused on pragmatic continuity and community-driven progress. “My first term focused on building a strong foundation for long-term success, and while we accomplished a great deal, there is still important work ahead,” said Cassidy. She wants to ensure that rapid economic growth directly supports housing, culture, and the everyday well-being of her members. Cassidy secured her second term with 116 votes, defeating challenger Bryce Williams, who earned 88. Alongside the leadership vote, Tsawwassen members elected 14 legislators to the nation’s governing body: Taylor Baker with 133 votes, Valerie Cross with 124 votes, Louise Ahlm with 107 votes, Dawn Williams with 107 votes, Terri Splockton with...
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Meta delays new business terms after outcry over potential web scraping of news sites
By Barbara Ortutay And Claudia Ciobanu Meta said it was postponing the rollout of new terms for its business accounts after an outcry from media companies and open-web advocates who said the updated rules would allow the tech giant to scrape vast amounts of data and potentially build competing services. The new rules, originally scheduled to go into effect Oct. 30, authorize Meta to use automated software such as web scrapers and bots to “index, cache, analyze, collect, retrieve, or crawl the domains, web pages, or URLs” associated with a business account. Critics say the update would have applied to all business clients, regardless of opposition, and without payment for the extracted content — and that Meta would have been able to use the content to potentially build products such...
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