Bill C-21 reveals deeper tensions over Métis identity, treaty authority and jurisdiction
By Aaron Walker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com The president of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) says misinformation and political fearmongering are driving growing opposition to Bill C-21, as legislation to enact the Red River Métis self-government treaty continues to move through Parliament. First Nations leaders who oppose the legislation, however, argue the issues with C-21 run far deeper, raising concerns about treaty authority, consultation, identity, and who has the right to negotiate jurisdiction over traditional territories. Bill C-21, which received second reading in the House of Commons on April 22, would give legal effect to the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty between Canada and the MMF, the national government of the Red River Métis. For MMF President David Chartrand, the moment represents the culmination of generations...
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U.S. law enforcement charges 13 in connection with gun trafficking into Canada
By Kelly Geraldine Malone The United States has charged 13 people for trafficking firearms from New Hampshire into Canada through Akwesasne tribal lands that straddle both countries. U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire Erin Creegan says five people have pleaded guilty to federal firearms offences and eight others were indicted by a federal grand jury in connection to international firearms trafficking. Creegan says it was a sophisticated operation that used the northern border as a pipeline to transport illegal guns. Court documents say members of the Akwesasne reservation in New York enlisted people to purchase firearms from licensed dealers on behalf of others who weren’t legally allowed to own them. The firearms trafficking began in 2021 and ran until at least 2024, the documents say. U.S. law enforcement tracked 51 firearms...
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Baby delivered on sidewalk in the cold after patient redirected from hospital
By John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner A baby was delivered on the sidewalk outside the Fredericton hospital last month after a couple was told labour and birth services were unavailable at their local hospital more than an hour away. Lauren and Nick Atkinson welcomed their daughter, Charlotte, on April 18 outside the ER entrance to the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in New Brunswick’s capital. The father delivered the baby outside in the cold before staff could help. Lauren’s labour progressed too quickly to reach the delivery ward after the couple raced down the highway at breakneck speed. “It all happened within 30 seconds of getting there,” she said in an interview. It’s the second time a woman from Woodstock gave birth in harrowing circumstances. Only...
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City, B.C., First Nations in push to keep Whitecaps in Vancouver ‘for generations’
The City of Vancouver, the B.C. government, First Nations and the Crown corporation that owns BC Place say they are working with “private partners” to keep the Whitecaps Major League Soccer team in the city. The group said in a joint statement Thursday that they are also working on improving the “game-day economic model” at the stadium, but it did not identify the private investors. It also said they were advancing work on a potential new stadium and exploring additional sponsorship opportunities. “This joint statement demonstrates a unified commitment from all partners to keep the Whitecaps in Vancouver for generations to come,” they said. The group, which includes the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and stadium company PavCo, said it was working with the federal government, although it was not...
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Defamation lawsuit filed by Quesnel mayor’s wife dismissed
By Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince George Citizen A defamation lawsuit filed by the wife of Quesnel Mayor Ron Paull against the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) has been dismissed by BC Supreme Court. “I find that this is a case in which the public interest in preserving free debate and the UBCIC’s right to express its views as it did outweighs the harm, if any, that Ms. (Pat) Morton may have incurred,” Justice Jasmin Ahmad ruled on April 30. Morton sued the UBCIC last May, citing an April 2, 2024 complaint letter and the events that followed. The UBCIC had objected to former Mount Royal University professor Frances Widdowson speaking at a Quesnel city council meeting. Widdowson is a contributor to Grave Error: How the Media...
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Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Grand Chief Diablo returns from Iroquois Caucus meetings
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) Grand Chief Cody Diabo returned from Ottawa following his participation in the Iroquois Caucus meetings held last week. Diabo told Iorì:wase that the main agenda items for this session included the Jay Treaty, the protocol agreement with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the formalization of a partnership with the Atikamekw Nation. “Collectively we strategize to figure out what’s our common issues, and then how do we push for that,” Diabo said. Alongside the Caucus, Diabo met with Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Rebecca Alty, Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull Masty, and Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree. According to Diabo, this was the first time a federal minister attended a Caucus session....
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Entewawennano:ronhste comes to Kahnawake schools
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase The Iakwahwatsiratátie Language Nest is distributing the new children’s book Entewawennano:ronhste to local schools, giving parents a chance to read to their kids in Kanien’kéha. According to Iakwahwatsiratátie’s coordinator, Karihwakatste Deer, the book is designed to promote language revitalization by empowering families to pass Kanien’kéha on to their children. “I thought it was a simple way to provide parents with a resource that they could use at home with their children,” Deer said. Deer first encountered the book during a visit to the Mohawk Institute Residential School in the Six Nations last August. The book was originally written in the Western Dialect, so Deer reached out to the Six Nations Language Commission to request permission to reprint it in the Eastern Dialect....
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PM says best place for Alberta is in Canada, after judge tosses separation petition
Prime Minister Mark Carney says the best place for Alberta to be is in Canada. His comment comes a day after a judge threw out an Alberta petition calling for a referendum on separation. The judge ruled the petition shouldn’t have been issued under provincial law and that Premier Danielle Smith’s government neglected its duty to consult First Nations. Smith called the ruling “anti-democratic” and said the government would appeal. Carney says referendums are part of any democracy but that rules also need to be followed. He says that means also following a federal law that gives Ottawa a say on whether any separation question is clearly understood and what should be considered a sufficient majority vote. “Ultimately, Parliament has a role in making the judgment about the question,” Carney...
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‘A remarkable herd of cattle’: Opitsaht wild cow study underway
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Opitsaht, B.C. – A cow research project is underway in the ancient village of Opitsaht within Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation (TFN) traditional territory on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The multi-year study looks at why the wild cows, or muus muus as they’re called in TFN language, are so healthy. Tla-o-qui-aht has partnered with researchers at the University of Lethbridge and Tsolum Mobile Vet for the project. “There are some really interesting research questions surrounding the muus muus. They are a remarkable herd of cattle and I think they are a unique resource in Canada and around the world,” said Dr. Wade Abbott, a senior research scientist from Agriculture and Agri Food Canada involved with the study. The cows have been roaming...
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syilx leader calls drought forecast ‘worrisome for the months to come’
By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews A syilx leader says he is praying for the salmon and hoping for rain as the Okanagan Valley braces for another consecutive summer of drought. Local governments are being forced to adapt to longer and more frequent droughts, fuelled by climate change. But as water becomes less and less available, Westbank First Nation (WFN) councillor c̓ris Jordan Coble says more regional collaboration is urgently needed, and any water-conservation strategy needs every stakeholder at the table. “It’s not looking good. I asked for prayers for the salmon, prayers for the rains, because that’s all we have now,” he said. “There’s not enough snow to melt to fill up our creeks and rivers.” During an Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) regional water report webinar...
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Manitoba’s nursing regulator apologizes for discrimination against Indigenous Peoples
By Brittany Hobson Manitoba’s nursing regulator publicly apologized on Wednesday for its role in discriminating against First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the health-care system. The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba hosted a ceremony including Indigenous advocacy groups, health-care organizations and other regulatory partners on the same day it says the province has proclaimed Indigenous Nurses Day. “To all First Nations, Inuit and Métis, we affirm our deep sorrow for the harms that you and your ancestors have experienced, and the intergenerational effects that our actions and inactions have caused or contributed to. We realize we have much work to do, and that an apology alone is not enough to affect change,” said Deb Elias, the regulator’s registrar. Elias went on to say that the apology is “long...
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Energy minister Dix says four new wind farms will power B.C.’s energy sovereignty
By Wolfgang Depner The minister responsible for energy and climate change solutions in British Columbia says four new wind farms will strengthen the province’s energy sovereignty at a time of rising costs and uncertainty. Adrian Dix said three projects in the province’s northern region and one near West Kelowna, B.C., will not only generate enough electricity to power 350,000 homes but also keep energy affordable, while also drawing $4.3 billion in private investment. “These are all dramatic major projects,” he said at a news conference, where he was also joined by Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO of BC Hydro, and legislator George Anderson. The minister said conflicts including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war between Iran and the United States have profoundly impacted energy markets. “Just to put it...
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Judge quashes Alberta separation petition, Smith calls ruling ‘anti-democratic’
By Jack Farrell A judge threw out an Alberta separatist petition Wednesday, ruling the province had a duty to consult with First Nations — a decision quickly declared “anti-democratic” by Premier Danielle Smith. Justice Shaina Leonard also said Alberta’s chief electoral officer should never have issued the referendum petition. The premier promised an appeal. “This is a decision by one judge,” said Smith. “We think that this decision is incorrect in law and anti-democratic, and we will be appealing it as a result.” Lawyers for several First Nations argued last month that Alberta’s referendum process and its use by separatists is unconstitutional, as there’s no requirement for Indigenous consultation. They also said separation would violate treaty rights. Government lawyers defended the process and pushed for the separatist petition to play...
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NEWS ALERT: Judge quashes Alberta separation petition in favour of FirstNations
By Jack Farrell An Alberta judge has quashed a separatist petition, saying the provincial government had a duty to consult with First Nations. Justice Shaina Leonard says the petition should never have been issued. Lawyers for several Alberta First Nations had argued the province’s referendum process and its use by separatists are unconstitutional, as there’s no requirement for Indigenous consultation. They also said separation would violate treaty rights. Lawyers for the province defended the process and pushed for the separatist petition to play out. The separatist group Stay Free Alberta handed in its petition last week and boasted that it had nearly 302,000 names — well above its 178,000 requirement. Premier Danielle Smith has said if the petition had enough signatures, the group’s question would be put on a ballot...
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Manitoba’s nursing regulator apologizes for discrimination against Indigenous Peoples
By Brittany Hobson Manitoba’s nursing regulator has made a public apology for its role in discriminating against First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the health-care system. The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba hosted a ceremony including Indigenous advocacy groups, health-care organizations and other regulatory partners. It says it should have acted sooner to acknowledge harm to Indigenous patients as well as Indigenous nurses. Deb Elias, the college’s registrar, says registered nurses have significant power and influence in the health system, and they should be providing inclusive and culturally safe care. The college is working on developing a reconciliation action plan to look at including more Indigenous staff. Elias says systemic racism has led to barriers in care and some patients choosing not to seek medical help. This report...
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Temagami First Nation reclaims traditional name
By Sue Nielsen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker BEAR ISLAND – What’s in a name? A great deal if you believe in First Nation language and identity reclamation. The Temagami First Nation has formally acknowledged the restoration of its traditional name to Teme Augama Anishinabek. This name change was completed in a recent community ceremony during the spring equinox held at the Minowaabandan-gamiing Mawanjihidiwining Gathering Hall on Bear Island. The event brought elders, who are the language carriers, leadership, youth and community members all reflecting on the meaning of the new name, its teachings and the responsibilities that come with carrying it forward. Dozens of First Nations in Canada are formally changing their names to reflect indigenous names, helping to restore traditional words and revitalize their languages. This name...
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Atlantic chiefs call for Indigenous collaboration on offshore wind farm development
By Michael MacDonald A new report says offshore wind developers in Atlantic Canada should commit to early collaboration with Indigenous businesses to ensure the industry contributes to “economic reconciliation.” The report, released Wednesday by the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs, says Indigenous communities have an important role to play in the new industry, noting they are already involved in onshore energy projects across the region. “Early engagement and consultation … is key to identifying partners and building long-term commercial relationships based on mutual trust and respect for Indigenous treaty rights,” the congress said in a statement. Drafted by the independent Atlantic Economic Council, the report comes as Nova Scotia leads the country in developing offshore wind farms. Premier Tim Houston has proposed a $60-billion project called Wind West,...
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New Ontario water and sanitation law could pave the way for the financialization of public water
By Meera Karunananthan, Assistant Professor, Human Geography, Carleton University In November 2025, the Ontario government rushed through new legislation to dramatically restructure public drinking water and wastewater services without any public consultation. The Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act (WCA) authorizes the province’s minister of municipal affairs and housing to remove water and wastewater services from local governments and assign them to arms-length governance structures by classifying them as “water and wastewater public corporations (WCCs).” Despite being buried among other controversial measures in the omnibus Bill 60, the WCA drew considerable public backlash. A broad-based coalition was formed, bringing together water workers, environmental organizations, physicians and anti-poverty activists to push back against what seemed like the stealth privatization of provincial water infrastructure. In response, Premier Doug Ford’s government tabled amendments...
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Grey skies couldn’t stop I.L. Thomas Track and Field Day
By Alex Murray Writer Despite a worrying weather forecast predicting a thunderstorm during I.L. Thomas Elementary School’s annual track and field day on May 5, the sun came out in full force and so did the event. Students from kindergarten to Grade 8 competed in a range of track and field disciplines, including races from 50- to 1,500-metres, long jump, and triple jump. There was also a ball throwing competition for Grades 1 through 6 and shotput for Grades 7 and 8 students. It was the first track and field held at the school since COVID. “We’re happy to be back here at our school because it is a nice community event for parents to come see their kids participate”, Acting Vice Principal Sara Keyowash said. Parents are a big...
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Six Nations Elected Council preparing for billion dollar land claim court decision
Six Nations is taking steps to prepare for a long-anticipated court decision tied to its multi-billion-to trillion-dollar land claims litigation. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is creating an ad hoc committee to plan for the result of the nation’s land claim and debated how best to ensure both leadership and community members are ready ahead of expected litigation. Councillor Dayle Bomberry told the April 28 General Council meeting, the litigation is expected to start in five months in October 2026. “And I guess it’s been around this council, not this council, but previous councils, for us to start making a plan and be ready for the pending decision in relation to council or having a plan… for when that time comes,” he said. The litigation stems from the 1784 Haldimand...
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