Column: Sam Laskaris – BEHIND THE ACTION
By Sam Laskaris, Writer Brenden Anderson realizes he has already achieved what will more than likely be the highlight of his junior hockey career. But the 19-year-old Six Nations member is still hoping for some more on-ice glory this spring. Anderson’s Ontario Hockey League (OHL) experiences began on a bit of a downer last season. He was unable to crack the roster of the Kitchener Rangers, the squad that had drafted him two years earlier. His fortunes started to improve, however, when the Hamilton Bulldogs acquired his OHL playing rights in October of 2021 from the Rangers. Shortly afterwards Anderson discovered that he was indeed good enough to suit up for an OHL franchise. And a pretty good one to boot. The Bulldogs continued to make changes bolstering their lineup...
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Little NHL tournament has new acting president
By Sam Laskaris Writer A rather familiar face has taken over the helm, at least temporarily, of Ontario’s largest Indigenous youth hockey tournament. It was announced earlier this month that Patrick Madahbee is now the acting president for the Little Native Hockey League tournament, which is more commonly called the Little NHL. This year’s tournament, which will be hosted by Nipissing First Nation, will be held Mar. 12-16 in Mississauga. Madahbee was selected to be the acting president by the tournament’s executive at a meeting on Jan. 14. He takes over from Marian Jacko, who had served as the Little NHL president since December of 2018. Jacko was forced to step away from her position as she was one of nine individuals chosen in December to serve one-year terms with...
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Snipers rally to win second straight Arena Lacrosse League contest
By Sam Laskaris Writer Thanks to a solid fourth quarter the Six Nations Snipers were able to pick up another victory on Sunday. The Snipers outscored the visiting Toronto Monarchs 5-1 in the final quarter of their Arena Lacrosse League contest en route to a 15-13 win. Six Nations had trailed 6-3 after the opening quarter and 10-8 at halftime of the match, which was held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville. With that triumph the Snipers, the defending ALL East Division champions, were able to even their record at 2-2 this season. The Six Nations squad had lost its first two contests this year. The Snipers then entered the win column for the first time with a 16-10 win over the Peterborough Timbermen on Jan. 14. Meanwhile, after...
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WHL’s Calgary Hitmen to host third Every Child Matters game
By Sam Laskaris Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL) are once again teaming up with Siksika Health Services to stage an Every Child Matters game. This year’s match, the third one the Hitmen have staged, is scheduled for Sat. Feb. 4. The club’s provincial rivals, the Edmonton Oil Kings, will provide the opposition for the contest, which has an opening faceoff scheduled for 2 p.m. (MT). “We’re obviously excited about the game,’’ said Tyler White, the CEO of Siksika Health Services. “It has evolved into something quite special. It all started off by having the team come out to our community for a practice.’’ That was back in January 2019 when members of the Hitmen hit the road for about a 60-minute drive...
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Mississaugas of Credit First Nation’s “old” council house gets make-over
By Lisa Iesse Writer The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation’s (MCFN) historic ‘Old Council House’ is about to get a face lift. The MCFN’s council recently received a $500,000 Indigenous Tourism Relief Fund grant to help restore the building that has served as the community’s first political and social centre for over 100 years. Since it’s construction in 1882, the Council House has been the centre of the community’s political and social life. Until 1988, the Council House building hosted elected band council meetings, but also many MCFN programs and services. “The building itself housed all of our programs of the day, that’s where we started out of,” community historian and former MSFN Chief Carolyn King said. “And it has been a lot of things for the community, from
Khill to be sentenced in spring in shooting death of Jonathan Styres
HAMILTON, ONT-Peter Khill, convicted in the 2016 shooting death of Six Nations’ Jonathan Styres will be sentenced April 12th. A Superior Court Judge said Friday Khill is scheduled to return to a Hamilton court room April 12th for sentencing. Khill, because he used a firearm, will receive a minimum of four years in prison. Manslaughter with a firearm comes with a minimum sentence of four years imprisonment. Khill attended the sentencing virtually. He ha been granted bail in December and has been out on a $100,000 bond until his sentencing. A jury of 12 found Khill guilty last year of manslaughter. He shot and killed 29-year-old Jonathan Styres who had broken into his pickup truck in February 2016. Khill was acquitted after a trial in 2018. A new trial was
Councillor sounds alarm on Six Nations Housing Crisis
By Turtle Island News staff The housing crisis is coming to a head on Six Nations with a severe lack of housing and land available for members after years of underfunded housing services. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) Councillor Helen Miller has been sounding the alarm for more than two years warning Indigenous Services Canada is pushing to expand devolution of housing to First Nations. Miller gave SNEC an update on the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Chiefs Committee on Housing committee at SNEC’s Political Liaison meeting on January 23. She reiterated that her recommendation is, and has always been, for Six Nations to start its own housing authority. “There’s so many people that can’t find housing that don’t have houses. Rent is so high in Brantford, they can’t afford to
Six Nations Health centre working with only one doctor a week
By Turtle Island News Staff SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND-While a medical staff shortage is taking hold of the country, Six Nations is down to only one doctor once a week at its Gane Yoh’s Community Health Centre. The shortage has Six Nations working to make it more attractive for doctors to provide services in the community. Six Nations Elected Councillor Greg Frazer and Jennifer Smith, executive director of the Six Nations Family Health Team gave a presentation about their progress and next steps to recruitment at the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC)’s Political Liaison meeting on January 23. “We’re flagged, as other communities are [for a shortage of doctors and] in finding and retaining doctors. Sometimes they do come in and stay for one or two years,” Frazer said.
SN Grand River Development hits hurdles trying to develop
By Lynda Powless Editor Political factors including the federal government’s Additions to Reserve (ATR) process for returning land to First Nations is holding up development or transfer of a number of Six Nations properties. Six Nations Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) has returned management of seven community properties, including the Oneida Business Park, to Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) management after being unable to develop the properties as hoped. SNGRDC announced the return as part of what it called a new “Enhanced Relationship’ between it and SNEC. But when asked by Turtle Island News why SNGRDC was no longer managing the properties SNGRDC said in a statement “Certain properties that are being divested to SNGR cannot be developed due to political factors, these factors are beyond the control of SNGRDC.” The
Six Nations and Habitat for Humanity tackle housing crisis
Councillor Helen Miller holds a diagram of what the construction of a new building will look like (Photo by Jim C. Powless) By Lisa Iesse Writer Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) and Habitat for Humanity are tackling the community’s housing crisis with the building of a multi -unit complex that will house five families. It’s the largest housing development at Six Nations in a number of years. “Going forward we’re going to make sure that the housing that we are providing is safe, that it’s accessible and that it continues to be,” said Lily Ann Mt. Pleasant, acting director of Six Nations housing. She added the development is much needed. “Not only for us but the next generation coming in, that they are all going to be realized with these programs
Indigenous identity fraud ‘the ultimate step in colonialism,’ Metis lawyer says
By Brenna Owen THE CANADIAN PRESS Since Grey Owl a century ago,people of European descent have falsely claimed to be Indigenous for personal gain or a sense of absolution, but one Metis legal expert says it would take a psychiatrist to try to fully answer, “why?” “It does boggle my brain, how do you keep all those lies, balls up in the air, for decades,” said Jean Teillet, a Vancouver-based lawyer who wrote a report for the University of Saskatchewan last year exploring Indigenous identify fraud. “What a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive that’s what happens. They get tangled up in their own stories,” said Teillet, who is the great-grandniece of famed Metis leader Louis Riel. Teillet’s report examined the harm caused by Indigenous identity
OPP seek public’s help in locating man wanted on kidnapping and firearm charges
CAYUGA, ON – The Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment Crime Unit are seeking assistance from the public in locating an individual wanted on outstanding warrants. Haldimand County OPP holds arrest warrants for 53-year-old Ronald James Clause of Haldimand County, Ontario for the following offences: Kidnapping while using a firearm, Possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose, Unauthorized possession of a firearm and Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order. The accused is described as an Indigenous male about 5′ 8″, 230 pounds, muscular build, with blue eyes and brown hair. He is known to frequent Hagersville and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. OPP are warning the public if you observe this person, please call 9-1-1 immediately, do not approach or attempt to interact . OPP said
The toll on families is tremendous:’ N.W.T. sees increase in opioid related deaths
HAY RIVER, N.W.T.- Health officials in the Northwest Territories say they’re responding to an increase in opioid toxicity deaths. Chief Coroner Garth Eggenberger says there were six such deaths in the territory last year, all in the town of Hay River. He says in each case, the person was using drugs alone and did not have naloxone, a medication used to reverse an overdose, on site. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola says five of the deaths were directly related to fentanyl or carfentanil. Eggenberger says crack cocaine has also been affected by opioid contamination. He believes people purchased the drugs outside of the territory and were unaware they contained fentanyl or carfentanil. “The toll on families is tremendous,” he said Tuesday. Kandola said the drug poisonings are a
Quebec Innu community seeks $2.2B from Hydro Quebec for Churchill Falls destruction
By Marisela Amador THE CANADIAN PRESS MONTREAL-A Quebec Innu community is suing Hydro-Quebec for $2.2-billion, claiming the Churchill Falls hydroelectric station has destroyed a significant part of its traditional territory. The lawsuit filed Friday in Quebec Superior Court by the Innu of Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam claims the megaproject’s reservoirs and more than 1,000 kilometres of transmission lines “flooded and destroyed” part of their traditional territory and disrupted the community’s traditional activities. “The Churchill Falls megaproject has had devastating impacts on our people,” Innu Chief Mike Mckenzie said in a written statement on Monday. The lawsuit also names as a defendant Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation Ltd., which operates the power plant and transmission facilities. The band council says construction of the 5,428-megawatt station in Labrador and transmission
Hagersville Woman Facing Impaired Driving charge
OHSWEKEN, ON – A Hagersville woman is facing an impaired driving charge after Six Nations Police were called to a motor vehicle collision on 2nd Line Road, Monday, Jan., 22, 2023. Six Nations Police said they responded to the accident at about 7:49 p.m. and found a vehicle had flipped over on its side in the ditch. When police arrived at the scene they spotted the female driver outside of the vehicle. No injuries were reported. The investigation revealed the vehicle was travelling eastbound when the driver lost control of the vehicle due to the slippery road conditions and slid into the ditch. Six Nations Police said after speaking with the driver, “she displayed evidence to impairment by alcohol and police detected an odour of alcohol emanating from her breath”.
Area of interest at Manitoba landfill has been clear of waste since June: committee
WINNIPEG-An Indigenous-led committee tasked with determining whether it’s possible to recover the remains of two First Nations women from a landfill says there hasn’t been waste deposited at an area of interest there since last summer. Members of the team met with the owner of Prairie Green landfill earlier this month to discuss the status of operations at the privately run landfill just outside Winnipeg. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs say in a statement that no additional materials have been deposited to the landfill cell that police marked as an area of interest since June, meaning there is less waste to remove if a search is conducted. Police have said they would not search the landfill for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, citing the passage of time
Survivors of residential school in Saskatchewan file proposed class action lawsuit
By Kelly Geraldine Malone THE CANADIAN PRESS WHITECAP, Sask.- Survivors of a residential school that housed Metis children in Saskatchewan have filed a proposed a class-action lawsuit against the federal and provincial governments. The Ile-a-la-Crosse Residential Boarding School opened in the 1820s and operated for more than 100 years in the northern village. It burned down in the 1970s. “All we asked was to be treated fairly as survivors,” said Louis Gardiner, who began attending the school when he was five years old. Gardiner told a news conference Tuesday that he was identified at the school by a number, not his name. He said survivors of the school experienced abuse and a loss of culture and language. “If we were caught speaking our language, the strap was there.” Survivors of
New addiction treatment clinic in Winnipeg will be Indigenous led, province says
WINNIPEG-The Manitoba government is putting up close to $900,000 to set up the province’s first Indigenous-led Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine clinic. There are already six such clinics, which provide assessments, counselling, medication and referrals to treatment programs. The government says the new Indigenous-led one will open in the spring in central Winnipeg and will offer culturally relevant programming. The clinic will be open five days a week, have a mobile outreach vehicle and provide up to 2,300 patient visits per year. The clinic will be run by the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre, which says the staff will be largely Indigenous and will have experience in helping people with addiction. Monica Cyr, the centre’s director of research, says the rapid-access clinic will be a big help. “We believe compassion,
Quebec Innu community seeks $2.2B from Hydro Quebec for Churchill Falls destruction
MONTREAL- A Quebec Innu community is suing Hydro-Quebec for $2.2-billion, claiming the Churchill Falls hydroelectric station has destroyed a significant part of their traditional territory. The lawsuit filed Friday in Quebec Superior Court by the Innu of Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam claims the megaproject’s reservoirs and more than 1,000 kilometres of transmission lines “flooded and destroyed” part of their traditional territory and disrupted the community’s traditional activities. The band council says construction of the 5,428-megawatt station in Labrador and its transmission facilities in the 1960s and early 1970s was done without the consent of the community near Sept-Iles, Que. A 1969 agreement that allows Hydro-Quebec to purchase the majority of the electricity generated at the station and reap most of the profits ends in 2041. The community is asking the court
North Coast First Nations get $4 million to transition off diesel energy
By Kaitlyn Bailey Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Three North Coast communities are moving away from diesel energy after receiving more than $4 million to fund alternative-energy projects, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Low-Carbon Innovation announced Jan. 16. In total, the province’s Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) program gave 12 First Nations communities across B.C. more than $7 million as part of a CleanBC initiative. The goal of the CEDR program is to reduce diesel consumption for power generation in remote communities by 80 per cent by 2030, Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation stated in the press release about the announcement Jan. 16. Gitga’at First Nation was awarded $2 million for pre-construction and construction activities for a run-of-lake 948-kilowatt hydroelectric generation facility, a press release
