‘Mass Death on This Scale Is Incomprehensible’
By Michelle Gamage, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Tyee [Editor’s note: This article talks about overdose fatalities, including of youths, and the ongoing toxic drug crisis’s outsized impact on First Nations people.] There were fewer drug poisonings, overdoses and fatalities in 2025, compared with 2024. But British Columbia is still in the midst of a brutal unregulated toxic drug overdose crisis, according to recent updates from BC Emergency Health Services and the BC Coroners Service. So far more than 19,053 British Columbians have been killed since early 2014, when unregulated fentanyl started showing up in the illicit drug supply. The province declared a public health emergency in April 2016 to address an unprecedented increase in deaths. This April, that public health emergency will have been in place for a full...
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As climate, industry warm Okanagan waterways, expert warns of ‘extinction event’ for fish by 2040
By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews A smǝlqmíx (Similkameen) expert is warning that climate change and over-logging could lead to “an extinction event” for fish throughout the Okanagan Basin by 2040. Lauren Terbasket, a Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB) member who works for the band’s Parks Working Group, shared that these issues have led to warmer water trends across the Similkameen Watershed system in recent years. That’s why climate resilience must become a priority, said Terbasket. “The water warming trends indicate that we will be looking at an extinction event — in terms of fisheries — by 2040,” she said. “That really tells us how important any work that we can do on the system is, in terms of water cooling factor.” Terbasket shared these findings with regional...
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B.C. teachers ratify new four-year agreement for 3% annual wage boost
By Marissa Birnie British Columbia’s teachers’ union says its members have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, covering 52,000 educators in the province. The B.C. Teachers’ Federation said in a statement released Thursday that its members voted 91 per cent in favour of the agreement that gives them a three per cent wage increase in each of the four years. The union said the contract follows a year of negotiations where it raised priorities such as improved classroom conditions, stronger mental health supports for children and plans to recruit and retain teachers. BCTF president Carole Gordon said the agreement includes commitments to add counsellors, learning-assistance teachers and special education resource teachers in schools across the province. “This is a modest step forward, and our students deserve so much more. Our...
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More than 20 states sue over new global tariffs Trump imposed after his stinging Supreme Court loss
By Lindsay Whitehurst And Paul Wiseman WASHINGTON (AP) — Some two dozen states challenged President Donald Trump’s new global tariffs on Thursday, filing a lawsuit over import taxes he imposed after a stinging loss at the Supreme Court. The Democratic attorneys general and governors in the lawsuit argue that Trump is overstepping his power with planned 15% tariffs on much of the world. Trump has said the tariffs are essential to reduce America’s longstanding trade deficits. He imposed duties under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 after the Supreme Court struck down tariffs he imposed last year under an emergency powers law. Section 122, which has never been invoked, allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15%. They are limited to five months unless extended by...
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Moving at lightning speed on major projects OK if Nations are equipped
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com While a prominent Indigenous business leader believes major project development in Canada is progressing at lightning-quick speed, he is doing his best to ease concern that it’s too quick and occurring at the expense of treaty rights. JP Gladu was a featured speaker at the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) Central Business Forum held Feb. 26 in Toronto. He was on a panel titled “Major Projects in Practice: The Future of Indigenous Participation in Major Projects in Canada.” Once the president and CEO of the CCIB, in 2020 Gladu founded Mokwateh, an Indigenous-led consultancy that provides economic development, sustainability and strategic partnership advice. This past fall Gladu was also one of 11 individuals named to the Indigenous Advisory Council that will...
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‘We can set the agenda’: Carney continues middle power pitch in Australia
By Anja Karadeglija Prime Minister Mark Carney took his middle-powers speech from the World Economic Forum earlier this year to an audience in Australia on Wednesday, where he also discussed the difficulties of negotiating with U.S. President Donald Trump. Hitting many of the same points he did in his headline-making speech in Davos, Switzerland in January, Carney told the Lowy Institute think tank in Sydney that Canada and Australia share the advantages of legitimacy and trust. “Australia and Canada can’t compel like the great powers, but we can convene, we can set the agenda, shape the rules and organize and build capacity through coalitions that deliver results at speed and global scale,” Carney said in a speech at the Lowy Institute think tank in Sydney. Carney pointed out that Europe,...
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Accused in Deborah Anishinabie killing to stand trial
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com Caution: This story contains details that may be distressing to readers. THUNDER BAY — About 35 of Deborah Anishinabie’s family, friends and supporters gathered in vigil, before filling a courtroom to learn the man accused of killing her will stand trial. Levi Michael Lawson was first charged with indignity to a human body on Dec. 17, 2024 then second-degree murder on Jan. 31, 2025. Anishinabie, a member of Sandy Lake First Nation, was reported missing in early December 2024 after an extensive search was launched by police, members of her family and the community. Her death was confirmed later that month. “It was very important for us to gather this morning, considering the severity of this homicide,” Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand...
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First Nations ‘deeply disappointed’ with exploration company
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com SACHIGO LAKE — A First Nation in Northwestern Ontario says Signature Resources is conducting mineral exploration in its traditional territory without the First Nation’s consent. Sachigo Lake Anisininew Nation and another First Nation, Red Sucker Lake in northeastern Manitoba, issued a statement Tuesday saying Signature was exploring under Ontario permits. “These permits were issued and have been renewed despite formal objections from both Nations and in the absence of any written agreement, consent protocol or meaningful accommodation of our Nations’ concerns,” the joint statement said. Furthermore, the First Nations said they are “deeply disappointed” that the Toronto-headquartered company “has refused to negotiate a standard exploration agreement.” In response, Signature’s CEO told Newswatch the company has been trying to reach an agreement with...
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Sqomish Forestry looks to engage Squamish school kids in land stewardship, through cedar and log donations
By Ina Pace, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Squamish Chief Sqomish Forestry has donated around 1,000 cedar seedlings and a canoe log to Squamish school students, to broaden their learning opportunities. “This is the forestry town; that’s how Squamish is built. [We want to] get kids more interested in forestry, and the type of work we do.” Sqomish Forestry’s special projects superintendent Roger Lewisexplained the motives behind the Indigenous company’s latest education initiative in Squamish; that is, to encourage school kids to plant cedar seedlings, and to carve a race canoe. Since 2019, Sqomish Forestry has operated under the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) business arm Nch’ḵay̓. “Sqomish Forestry shared about 1,000 western red cedar and yellow cedar seedlings with our friends and community members at the Squamish Nation‘s Nexwsp’áyaḵen ta...
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Blueberry River First Nations members’ pipeline protest shunned by chief and council
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The chief and council of Blueberry River First Nations (BRFN) does not support band members’ protests and blockades north of Fort St. John at a worksite relating to the NEBC Connector project. Media reports suggest both contractors and band members of BRFN had set up a blockade on 260 Road off Highway 97 at NorthRiver Access 33a related to construction of the project on Monday, March 2nd. The project is slated to connect NorthRiver Midstream’s highway LNG hub near Wonowon to the Gordondale area of Alberta. In a statement to Energeticcity.ca, BRFN chief and council acknowledged “members are unhappy” with current contract agreements the First Nation has with industry partners, but do not support the actions of...
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Open house outlines Pete’s Dam turbine project
By Joe O’Grady, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker TEMISKAMING SHORES – Although the proposed location initially raised a few eyebrows, a proposed hydroelectric demonstration turbine at Pete’s Dam Park seems to be picking up steam. During a public open house at Riverside Place, proponents outlined their plans for the project and offered reassurances that it won’t have any impact on the view and use of the scenic site. Proponent Sandy Thomson of Thordon Energy said Pete’s Dam was actually ninth on the list of potential sites, and the only one that measured up for the project’s needs. “It has the right flow and (the location) makes sense,” he said. “And you won’t even see it from the park.” Thomson said the initiative, being pursued jointly with Temiskaming First Nation,...
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Portage la Prairie School Division holds firm to religious exemption refusal
By Maggie Macintosh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Winnipeg Free Press The Portage la Prairie School Division is upholding a decision to reject a family’s request for a religious exemption from activities related to Indigenous spirituality. Sharon Sanders Zettler and Vince Zettler have spent the better part of the academic year seeking accommodations for their children at Yellowquill School. “I have raised my kids in the Catholic faith from Day 1 and I am just looking for respect for that,” said Sanders Zettler, a mother of students enrolled in Grades 5 and 7 in Portage la Prairie. Her husband echoed those comments while noting they are not interested in policing what other children learn. The couple expressed frustration that few details were provided to families before the school division rolled out...
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Fireball and sonic boom over Vancouver was likely meteor
British Columbians took to social media Tuesday evening to share reports of a bright fireball in the night sky over Vancouver, and a house-rattling sonic boom. A seismologist from Natural Resources Canada’s earthquake early warning operation has confirmed a few local seismometers in B.C. picked up the event well, and the agency can confirm the shock recorded was “not an earthquake.” Alison L. Bird adds, however, that Earthquakes Canada cannot specify the location of the event, as its system is designed to detect movements within the Earth and not atmospheric occurrences. The incident happened shortly after 9 p.m. Pacific time, with bright flashes followed minutes later by a sonic boom strong enough to register on multiple area seismographs, which measure and record ground motion, vibrations and seismic waves. People have...
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Chief in N.S. says Mi’kmaq have a treaty right to sell cannabis amid new RCMP raids
By Lyndsay Armstrong A First Nation chief in Nova Scotia is asserting that Mi’kmaq people have a treaty right to grow and sell cannabis amid fresh police raids on multiple Indigenous-owned cannabis operations. The comments by Chief Terry Paul of Membertou First Nation are in conflict with the position of the provincial government, which considers all cannabis sold outside Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. outlets to be illegal. “Let us be clear that the Mi’kmaq have a collective treaty right to the sale of cannabis. We have the right to self-determination in our communities. We govern our people, lands, and priorities — not the province,” Paul said in a statement Tuesday night. He was reacting to RCMP raids earlier in the day during which police seized cannabis from five dispensaries in...
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Kanonhstaton
It’s been 20 years since Six Nations women Janie Jamieson and Dawn Hill walked on to a housing develpment outside Caledonia reclaiming unceded Haudenosaunee lands. The land would be renamed Kanonhstaton and changed the way Indigenous people would take back their land. (Photo by Jim C. Powless)...
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Community growth could spur a $28 million fire department need
Six Nations Fire and Emergency Services could see up to $28 million in operational and infrastructure growth over the next decade, but Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is not committing to financing the plan just yet. Fire Chief Michael Seth spoke to a recommendation to accept a comprehensive review conducted by the Emergency Management Group and to approve the department’s annual report at SNEC’s General Council meeting on February 24. SNEC was told the Emergency Management Group had conducted a comprehensive review of the community’s risk, the department structure and other areas all aimed at providing guidance to SNEC’s current and future operation and administration of the community. At the same time the Emergency Management Group offered a number of recommendations for service provision and improvement aimed at improving fire...
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Feds earmark $1.55 billion to ensure equal services for First Nations kids
By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brandon Sun The federal government said it will continue to reform Jordan’s Principle as it announced $1.55 billion in funding on Thursday. Two western Manitoba First Nation chiefs welcomed the funding announcement, but are opposed to the changes introduced in 2025. The new funding is meant to provide immediate stability for the Jordan’s Principle program, which underwent reform last year after the federal government complained of misuse. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty acknowledged that there has been confusion about what a course-correction will look like. “I know that the past few months have created much uncertainty for families,” Gull-Masty said during a press conference in Ottawa on Thursday. “We have had the opportunity to speak with them and collaborate with them in looking...
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Largest Operating Battery Storage Facility now operating
By Lynda Powless Editor The Hagersville Battery Energy Storage Park is operating. Boralex Inc. (“Boralex”) (TSX: BLX) and Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) are partners in the project, the largest operating battery energy storage facility in the country. The Hagersville Battery Energy Storage Park (HBESP) is sitting on unceded Six Nations of the Grand River lands near Hagersville. The landmark project is now buying and selling power in the Ontario energy market under a contract with IESO. The project has an operation capacity of 300 MW / 1,200 MWh, making it the largest project of its kind. Matt Jamieson, President and CEO of SNGRDC, saw the potential in the project and moved to make sure Six Nations was a part of it. “The HBES Park demonstrates...
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Changing CEOs: Six Nations man or woman at the top
Wondering who sits at the top of the Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) administration? The top job at the band has seen significant change in the past eight years at the top of its administration while at the same time ushering in a new governance style they are still working the bugs out of. Since 2019 three men and three women had sat in the top administration seat. The changes came after current councillor Dayle Bomberry retired as Six Nations Senior Administrative Officer or SAO in 2019 after a decade in the role. SNEC appointed lawyer Mandy Wesley as acting Senior Administrative Officer effective Feb. 3, 2019 and went on the hunt for someone to fill the seat. She filled the role until Darren Jamieson was hired in 2020. He...
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Six Nations develops new document and map to counter claims
Six Nations has a new historical document and map aimed at countering what it describes as “false claims” within the Haldimand and Nanfan Treaty areas. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approved a motion to keep a new history paper as internal information only and subject to legal review at the Feb. 24 General Council meeting. The Lands and Resources, Wealth and Economy Committee brought forward a recommendation that the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approve the “Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit (New Credit) First Nation history document and map” for distribution to proponents and posting on the Six Nations website. The document, accompanied by a map, was written by Lonny Bomberry, Director of Lands and Resources to counter “false claims in the Haldimand...
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