Cape Breton ride for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post The roar of at least 75 motorcycles filled the air in Membertou Saturday afternoon as their riders gathered to honour the memory of all the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children down through the decades. Membertou’s Ike Paul, whose sister was murdered over 30 years ago, led the bikers out of the parking lot on a trip from Membertou to Potlotek and finished at Whycocomagh where there was a concert planned for the evening. Featured performers were the Marshall Brothers of Eskasoni, who released their debut album. More than 75 motorcycles took part in a fund-raising rally and ride on Saturday around Cape Breton from Membertou to Whycocomagh. Above, left to right are: Ike Paul of Membertou, who led...
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First Nations chiefs worry Bills 5 and C-5 will enable environmental destruction
By Allison Jones First Nations chiefs behind a legal challenge to a pair of federal and provincial laws meant to fast-track infrastructure projects say they are turning to the courts because they worry the laws will lead to environmental destruction. Nine Ontario First Nations want the court to declare the federal law known as Bill C-5 and the Ontario law known as Bill 5 unconstitutional and are seeking an injunction that would prevent the governments from using some of the most contentious aspects. Chief June Black of Apitipi Anicinapek Nation in northeastern Ontario says the laws attempt to “bulldoze” both the land and First Nation rights and she worries they will enable mining that will harm the earth and projects that will contaminate drinking water. At a press conference about...
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City ready to welcome wildfire evacuees from St. Theresa Point First Nation, Mayor confirms
By Renee Lilley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Portage Graphic Leader As wildfires continue to ravage parts of Manitoba, Portage la Prairie is ready to welcome more evacuees, this time around from St. Theresa Point First Nation, a northern fly-in Island Lakes community forced to evacuate by the province in recent days under a state of emergency, the second one issued this summer. Mayor Sharilyn Knox confirmed on Monday, July 14, that 116 citizens will be arriving in town from the area, most of which are families. She said the city does not know how many families that number includes, but everyone has room. “We will welcome them into Portage and make sure they have what they need,” said Knox in a Monday evening social media update. She noted the Department...
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Influence of art across generations, families explored in new Banff exhibit
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook BANFF NATIONAL PARK – It’s the smell of fresh paint that takes artist Hali Heavy Shield back to her childhood. From helping her mom, Faye Heavy Shield, install pieces in galleries to learning a craft by her side, Hali’s artistic journey has always been closely tied to her mother’s. “She would have piles of grass working on a sculpture or we’d be baking, or I remember the smell of paint quite often when she’d be working on a project – things like making paper dolls,” said Hali. Now an artist and children’s book author, Hali’s work is part of the current exhibit “Elliptical Lineages” at the Banff Centre’s Walter Phillips Gallery. Exploring the influence of family members on artistic practices...
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Special Olympics bocce tournament is “a ball”
By Tara Lindemann Writer Bocce is all about the team sport, according to Special Olympics Ontario Summer Games athlete, Tammi Dougan. “I like playing with my friends,” said the Brantford resident team member. She said she first played for the Stratford team for years before moving to Brantford. “This is my first time playing in the provincial games, but I like it,” said Dougan. “I get to socialize, I like playing with everyone.” More than 1,000 athletes are competing in the Games, which lasted from July 10 to 13, playing with and against one another in the sports of bocce, golf, soccer and softball. Brantford Police Services, Six Nations Police and OPP hosted the provincial event, held throughout Brantford, Paris and Six Nations. “It’s a good cause,” said volunteer and...
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Six Nations Elected Council may shut down council live streaming
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is considering shutting down the live streaming of its council meetings and holding in-person public sessions only to prevent non-Six Nations people from accessing SNEC data. Councillor Dean Hill, Chair of the Data Governance Committee, says while he wants to share information with members he only wants to do it in-person. “When we stream it live, anybody and everybody can watch, right?” Hill said. “We want to share the information with the community members, not necessarily the entire world.” Hill told SNEC’s July 8 council meeting he and the data committee are exploring new ways to share information with community members while protecting sensitive data including moving back to in-person meeting access only. He did not explain what the sensitive data...
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Indigenous Services Canada to test more wells for elevated strontium levels
By Tara Lindemann Writer A geological survey performed on Six Nations of the Gand River (SNGR) last fall has revealed that six of nine household wells tested positive for elevated levels of strontium. “The Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) project was designed as a geological study, not a drinking water safety study,” stated SNGR Public Relations Coordinator, Darrien Bomberry. “Samples were taken from outdoor taps and were not filtered, which limited our ability to assess the actual risk to household drinking water and the findings were treated as a preliminary flag rather than a confirmed public health concern. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) claimed it was notified last September that at least four wells on the territory tested positive for contaminants. Band administration has now issued a second message in less than...
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Councillor Amos Key taking on health care system…wants “state-of-the art” system
Six Nations needs more health care options, more doctors, and more funding to attain those goals. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is preparing to host Dr. Jane Philpott, Chair of Ontario’s Primary Care Action Team and former federal Minister of Health, on July 23 to raise urgent concerns ranging from the community’s exclusion from Ontario’s new primary care strategy to an integrated health facility. Councillor Amos Key, chair of the Wellbeing Committee confirmed her visit during the July 8th SNEC General Council meeting as part of his committee update. “That’s going to be great because there are lots of things we want to share with her,” Key said. The province’s current approach to primary care expansion has left First Nations, including Six Nations, out of policy and funding conversations, he...
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Ontario’s new presumed consent Organ Donation legislation infringes on Indigenous cultural and spirtual beliefs
Six Nations is preparing to formally oppose Ontario’s Bill 4, the Peter Kormos Memorial Act, due to serious cultural and consultation concerns about the proposed organ donation legislation. Councillor Amos Key, chair of the Wellbeing Committee gave a committee update to Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) at the General Council meeting on July 8 describing the legislation as “significant” for First Nations, “because of significant cultural considerations.” Bill 4, currently in second reading as of June 16, would shift Ontario to a presumed consent model for organ and tissue donation, meaning individuals would be automatically considered donors unless they explicitly opt out. “We are wanting to send a letter with our disappointment in not being engaged or consulted on that,” Key said. “We are against the legislation.” Director of Wellbeing...
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Six Nations encourages measles vaccinating as Ontario outbreak grows
By Tara Lindemann Writer Ontario has received reports of 2,230 cases of measles in 2025, according to Public Health Ontario’s Enhanced Epidemiological Summary. Although there are no reported cases in Six Nations of the Grand River in that period, the report revealed that the second-largest Ontario-wide outbreak since October 18, 2024 occurred next door. Grand Erie Public Health has reported 289 cases of measles in Brant County, accounting for 13 percent of infected Ontarians. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that remains in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Symptoms include a fever and small, white spots inside the mouth; red, watery eyes and cough, and a rash forms at least three to five days after symptoms reveal themselves. Measles offers a 90 percent infection...
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Seniors on reserve to get more in Senior Relief Fund
Six Nations seniors who live off-reserve won’t have access to the Six Nations Senior Relief Fund, but for those living on-reserve the income cap was increased. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approved amendments to the Senior Relief Fund Policy during its General Finance meeting on July 7, following discussion around income thresholds, eligibility, and the evolving financial needs of community members. Elissa Smith, Senior Manager of Allied Health Services at Six Nations Well-being Department walked SNEC through highlighted updates, including revised eligibility criteria, financial caps, and new provisions for urgent needs and medical equipment not covered by other funding sources. One change, which didn’t see opposition, is in the scope of the policy which will only allow members living on the reserve to qualify for the fund. “Off-reserve homes develop...
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No other word for it but secrecy…
In a day and age when cities, countries and the world are all looking to open their doors and get their citizenry involved….Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is moving in the opposite direction. Under the guise of claiming they are trying to provide information to the community the current council is taking a huge step backwards. It is looking to shut down the live streaming of council meetings and allow in person attendance at council sessions only. They haven’t explained why or even how they intend to even ensure a in-house audience would be Six Nations members unless they plan to demand status cards or even are able to explain how they have the right to demand a status card from an individual. It is going to get complicated to...
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Weekly Cartoon
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Today in History
July 16, 2003 Phil Fontaine returned as National Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, defeating incumbent Matthew Coon Come, in a three-way leadership race. July 18, 1817 Selkirk Treaty signed. Lord Selkirk signed a treaty with five Anishinaabe and Ininew (Cree) leaders recognizing Indigenous land rights in the area of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers in present-day Manitoba, Canada. July 19, 1958 Kwakwaka’wakw Chief Mungo Martin presented the Royal Totem to Her Majesty the Queen Mother in London, who accepted on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, to mark the centennial of the creation of the colony of British Columbia. July 19, 2020 1492 Landback Lane Protest begins when Six Nations of the Grand River, located near Hamilton, Ontario, people took over a housing develpment constructed on unceded Haudenosaunee...
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Six Nations Police impaired driver charges
OHSWEKEN, ON- Six Nations Police have charged eight people following separate impaired driving-related incidents between May 26th, 2025, and June 14th, 2025. Six Nations Police Chief Darren Montour said the service is noticing an increase in impaired charges. “We have noticed an increase in impaired driver arrests in the past few months,” he told Turtle Island News. “We take traffic safety seriously as it affects the safety of our community. We will continue being diligent and ensuring we make every effort to keep impaired drivers off our roads,” he said. He cautioned the community. “We want to remind everyone that impaired driving affects us all and to please not drink and drive. Call a friend or call a cab. Your family will appreciate it! “ Meanwhile in eight seperate incidents eight...
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Host Attack registers victory versus Peterborough
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Grand River Attack welcomed all of its Women’s Major Series Lacrosse (WMSL) rivals on Saturday. And the Six Nations-based club was able to pull off a significant victory, in large part as an honour to one of the Attack veterans, Alisha Smith, who was playing in her final match for the squad. The Attack defeated the visiting Peterborough Lakers 7-4 in a contest held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). All 10 WMSL squads played a game at the ILA on Saturday. With the victory against the Lakers, the Attack is now sporting a 4-3 record. Peterborough, which had lost just once in its first half dozen outings, saw its mark fall to 5-2. “That’s the best win we’ve had of the year,” said Attack...
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Rivermen travel to Collingwood and defeat host Cruise
By Sam Laskaris Writer It wasn’t the cakewalk that perhaps some team members were expecting. But the Six Nations Rivermen hit the road on Sunday and emerged with an 11-7 victory over the Collingwood Cruise in an Ontario Series Lacrosse (OSL) match. “It was a little iffy at times,” said Jay Smith, the general manager of the local Senior B men’s team. “It was a lot tighter than expected.” While the Rivermen, the defending league champs are hoping for another lengthy playoff run, the Collingwood squad, which is now sporting a 3-12 record, will not be among the Top 4 regular season finishers and thus will not advance to post-season action. The Six Nations club was perhaps also a bit overconfident as it headed to Collingwood. That’s because the last...
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SPORTS BRIEFS: Arrows edged in OT in playoff opener
By Sam Laskaris Writer It was not the post-season start that the Six Nations Arrows were hoping for. The local Junior A club kicked off its best-of-five Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL) quarter-final series versus the visiting Peterborough Lakers on Sunday. The Lakers managed to prevail in the series opener, eking out a 6-5 overtime victory. As the boxscore indicates, this contest was rather even throughout the night. Both teams scored once in the opening period. The Arrows and Lakers then netted two goals each in the middle frame. And both teams also scored two goals apiece in the third period, which forced the OT session. The Arrows did manage to outshoot Peterborough 51-47. But they came up just a bit short in the only statistic that really mattered on...
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Brantford Police seeking witnesses in collision
BRANTFORD, ONT-The Brantford Police Service is seeking the public’s help in providing information from anyone who may have witnessed a collision, which occurred at approximately 6:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, 2025, near the intersection of Shellard Lane and Anderson Road, Brantford. The motor vehicle collision involved two motorcycles and two automobiles. One person was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Any witnesses having information or anyone with dash-cam or video footage of the collision are being asked to contact Constable Jeff BIRNIE of the Brantford Traffic Unit at 519-756-0113 ext. 2823 or at jbirnie@police.brantford.on.ca...
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Advocate says progress being made since B.C. child torture death, more work required
By Ashley Joannou British Columbia’s representative for children and youth says some progress is being made to improve the child welfare system, but she’s concerned “fiscal limitations” will prevent timely help from getting to those most in need. Jennifer Charlesworth’s statement Tuesday comes a year after her report on the myriad of failures that ended in the death of an 11-year-old Indigenous boy who was tortured by extended family members who had been approved to care for him by the government. She credits the government with making progress on some of the recommended improvements that came out of the report, such as working toward a “child well-being strategy and action plan.” She said more than 90 per cent of young people are now being seen within 90 days as per...
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