First Nations, Jim Balsillie slam government over lack of consultation on AI bill
By Anja Karadeglija THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA-The Assembly of First Nations is warning it could take the Liberal government to court over its proposed privacy and artificial intelligence bill. And former tech executive Jim Balsillie told MPs studying the bill that he considers the legislation “anti-democratic.” The government has already been criticized for failing to consult widely and early enough on Bill C-27, which updates privacy laws and introduces the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. Balsillie, the former co-CEO of BlackBerry pioneer Research In Motion, said Wednesday the government did no public consultations and relied too heavily on feedback from industry rather than civil society. Indigenous leaders said First Nations weren’t consulted at all. “As a result, the minister did not hear First Nations, does not understand First Nations, and...
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North Dakota takes federal government to trial over costs to police Dakota Access Pipeline protests
By Jack Dura THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)- North Dakota is set to take the federal government to trial Thursday for the costs of responding to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, the culmination of an unusual and drawn-out court fight. The state filed the lawsuit in 2019, seeking $38 million from the federal government for policing the protests. Years of legal wrangling followed before the trial date was scheduled in December. The bench trial before U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor is expected to last 12-13 days. In an interview, North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said the trial will show examples of numerous requests to the federal government for help and the “complete refusal” to offer resources and financial support in response. “It ought not be one of...
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Manitoba man who was switched at birth receives Metis citizenship
WINNIPEG- A Manitoba man who was switched at birth and raised without being aware of his Indigenous heritage for more than 60 years says he feels a sense of belonging after receiving his Metis citizenship. “My identity is something I lost a long time ago,” Edward Ambrose said in a news release. “I’m 68 now, so being welcomed into the Red River Metis family really touches my heart.” Ambrose received his Manitoba Metis Federation citizenship card in Winnipeg on Tuesday. He was accompanied by his daughter, Eileen, and his biological sister Leona. “I am proud to be with my family, and it feels so powerful and meaningful to receive my card,” Ambrose said. “I will always love my other family too, but I feel like this is where I belong...
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First Nations call on feds to oppose nuclear waste disposal site near Ottawa River
OTTAWA-First Nations leaders are calling on the federal government to oppose a nuclear waste disposal site near the Ottawa River that they say threatens drinking water and their rights. Last month, a federal regulator approved a proposal from Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to build a near-surface disposal facility for nuclear waste close to Chalk River, Ont. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission said the project isn’t “likely to cause significant adverse environmental effect.” But multiple First Nations and dozens of municipalities in Ontario and Quebec object to the project. The facility is located on the traditional territories of Kebaowek First Nation, and it says the federal government breached its duty to consult by failing to obtain consent for the project. The First Nation has submitted a judicial review to challenge the project’s...
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It’s Official. Climate Change Has Brought Deadly Health Risks to BC
By Michelle Gamage Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Vancouver Coastal Health warned Tuesday that we’re not ready for extreme weather caused by climate change. What “urgent” risks you face depend on where you live, with poorer and racialized neighbourhoods and communities at particular high risk, according to Dr. Patricia Daly, Vancouver Coastal Health’s chief medical health officer. VCH serves a region that includes Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler and the Sunshine Coast, as well as coastal areas farther north, such as Bella Bella and Bella Coola. In a report released Tuesday, VCH analyzed how hazards such as wildfire smoke, droughts, heat, storms and flooding will affect our health and identified ways to mitigate future harms. “The existential threat to our population is climate change,” Daly said. A lot of the issues and solutions in...
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Minister eyes Indigenous communities for justice grant uptake
By George Lee Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Indigenous groups are well-positioned to enhance the delivery of justice services at the community level, the minister responsible for a new provincial grant said as the Feb. 29 application deadline approaches. Minister of Justice and Attorney General Mickey Amery said he would “love to see a strong uptake” of the grant from Indigenous communities. First Nations, the Metis Nation of Alberta and Metis settlements can apply for one-time grants worth between $5,000 and $25,000. Also eligible are municipalities, registered not-for-profits and charities, and community groups that have a designated fiscal agent. All told, the program will deliver up to $1.2 million this year. Not eligible for the Alberta Community Justice Grant are crown corporations, for-profits, individuals, academic institutions, police services and publicly funded...
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Nunavut achieves largest land transfer in Canadian history
By Patrick Quinn Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Nunavut’s historic devolution (or Namminiqsurniq) agreement with the government of Canada on January 18 marked the largest land transfer in the country’s history. The territory will have final decision-making authority over its two million square kilometres of land and resources while collecting royalties that previously went to the federal government. “It’s the manifestation of that bold vision our leaders have always had,” said Premier P.J. Akeeagok. “It means that we, the people most invested in our homeland, will be the ones managing our natural resources. It will allow us to reap the benefits of the incredible wealth we have in the territory and to really start building the foundations of our economy.” Devolution gives Nunavut similar control as Canadian provinces have over land,...
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Climate change: “Irreversible Extreme Heat” coming
“Irreversible Extreme Heat” report warns communities and First Nations extreme heat will pose risks By Lisa Iesse Writer Scientists say record-breaking double-digit temperatures last week north of Lake Erie including Six Nations, is part of an extreme heat trend that may pose “significant” risks. On Friday (Feb. 9) temperatures were recorded at an unseasonably warm 14 degrees celsius in Six Nations, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), and surrounding communities. Experts warn the increasing temperatures will mean more risk of flooding in the winter and extreme heat in the summer in the months and years to come. It’s part of an extreme heat trend which could mean “significant” impacts for communities on the north side of Lake Erie, Joanna Eyquem told the Turtle Island News. Eyquem is the managing...
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SNEC navigating through audit and potential $4.1 million defict
By Lynda Powless Editor Some members of Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) are questioning where it’s dollars are coming from and how they are going to pay any potential deficit and what the administrative” modernization” cost after learning they will be running a $4.1 million deficit. SNEC told its finance director it wants to see a list of finance agreements and wants to know how departments will make up for short falls and new employee salaries. Six Nations administration has grown to 980 employees. Of that 980, 681 employees are Six Nations band members, 68 are from other First Nation communities and 231 are non-Indigenous staff. The increase came under then CEO Darrin Jamieson who overhauled the band administration with a massive “modernization” taking a leave of absence just as the...
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Six Nations Police shut down drug trafficking funnel with arrests
Six Nations Police concluded a 6-month drug trafficking investigation resulting in search warrant executions on a vehicle and Selkirk residence. On February 8, 2024, Six Nations Police executed two Section 11 Controlled Drugs & Substances Act search warrants for one vehicle and a residence onMelville Lane in Selkirk, ON. Three adults were arrested without incident. As aresult, police seized a large quantity of drugs which include Oxycodone, Hydromorphone, Fentanyl transdermal patches, Clonazepam, Dilaudid andPsilocybin with a street value of approximately $35,000. In addition, police seized bulk currency, prohibited weapons, cell phones and a motor vehicle. As a result of the investigation, Wayne Richard Ireland, 44, of Selkirk, ON, has been charged with the following criminal offences: Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking: Hydromorphone Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking: Fentanyl...
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Six Nations Elected Council against Metis governance bid
Six Nations is pushing back against the Metis Nation of Ontario’s bid for self-governance through Bill C-53, which could also grant the Metis land. On January 26 the federal government announced $12.8 million for New Indigenous-Led Natural Climate Solutions, within the announcement it granted the Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) $1.3 million from Environment and Climate Change Canada to “aquire land for conservation and restoration.” Six Nations Elected Chief Sherri Lyn Hill said the MNO acquiring land was “concerning” during her update at the Political Liaison meeting on February 12. “This is a direct example, Canada said Bill C-53 would have no impact on First Nations Treaty and constitutionally protected rights. In Ontario the MNO has clear intentions to claim land,” Hill said The bill is set to go back...
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Housing buys furnaces from outside contractors for elders unit
As the temperatures plummet Six Nations is working toward ensuring elders stay warm. Six Nations Elected Council approved funds to purchase two additional new furnaces for the elders complex during its General Finance meeting on January 15th. SNEC’s housing department had already budgeted for seven new furnaces for the elder complex at 28 Bicentennial Road, but discovered an additional two furnaces were required this year. Lily-Anne Mt. Pleasant, director of housing said the purchase of seven new furnaces at a cost of $29,000 already approved, but she requires two more at an additional cost of $7,536. The funds will come from housing’s repairs reserve fund, but Mt. Pleasant needs SNEC’s approval to use the reserves. The total cost of the nine furnaces will come to $35,536. Councillor Dayle Bomberry asked...
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BATTLE OF THE POT HOLES: Six Nations roads versus the potholes
By Lisa Iesse Writer Pothole season came early. With warming temperatures the annual dodge, the pothole season hit early at Six Nations. Since January, drivers have been dodging potholes that are keeping the Six Nations Public Works team in a “constant battle” to fill the gaps. The potholes come in all shapes and sizes. Sections of road filled with large potholes, resembling the cratered landscape of the moon, have also been spotted on community roads. Ken Hess, a truck driver with Six Nations Public Works, was on a mission repairing some of the potholes near 7th Line and Cayuga Road in the last days of January. Hess said he lost count of how many holes the Public Works department has filled so far but said it numbers in the thousands....
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Is Six Nations Elected Council really there…?
The newly elected Six Nations Elected Council is now into its third month and still spending the majority of its time in “training” and closed meetings not to mention remaining silent most of the time. And we get to watch them sitting in meetings, quiet, allowing issues to go through without uttering a word. It’s a silence that needs to stop. As a new council its a prime time to evaluate whether or not the “modernization” of the band’s administration instituted by CEO Darren Jamieson is in fact working. Jamieson spent almost his entire tenure at the band, through COVID and now, working on implementing the “modernization” and now before it becomes too deeply embedded into the operations its time to evaluate if in fact it works for an Indigenous...
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Weekly Cartoon
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Six Nations Elected council hands out awards
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) handed out a number of awards Saturday honouring community members for their work and volunterism. SNEC held its Annual Awards Banquet at The Gathering Place Saturday (Feb., 10), honouring a retired police chief, teacher and others their outstanding contributions to the community. The Wilma General Memorial Award is presented annually to a Six Nations community member(s) who embodies the spirit of volunteerism and works tirelessly for the betterment of families in the community. This year’s recipients were Lana Henhawk and Dorothy Russell-Patterson. Russell-Patterson as well as a strong community volunteer also has worked as the Six Nations Election Officer. SNEC awarded this year’s Community Treasurers awards to Natasha Longboat and Glenn Lickers. The award goes to individuals have shown exceptional stewardship in and around the...
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SN Ontario Works trying to be more accessible
Six Nations Ontario Works department is working to make assistance and employment more accessible while also looking into better options for the future. Sandy Porter, director of Ontario Works at Six Nations gave his monthly report to Six Nations Elected Council at its Political Liaison meeting on February 12 and said 589 members received Ontario Works in December about 300 of those single people, which is slightly more than months past, but he’s not concerned about the small rise. He’s working toward the future as clients and assistance in general. “When I look back there’s not a lot of change from month to month,” he said. “I’m looking at different parts of, or what it means to deliver social assistance within the 65 agreement, so what we have to do,...
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Six Nations teens to compete at lacrosse tournament in California
By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations will be well represented at a prestigious box lacrosse tournament that will begin this Saturday in California. The recently formed Haudenosaunee Jr. Selects Women’s Lacrosse program has entered two teams in the United States Box Lacrosse Winter Nationals, a tournament also known as USBOXLA. The event, which is being held in the city of Irvine, commences Saturday and continues until Monday. The Haudenosaunee program is entering a squad in the five-team girls’ high school division. This grouping is for players born between 2005-2007. Six Nations members that will compete on this club are Sofia Smith, Kallyn Martin, Teegan Jonathan, Kendyl Pollack and Rayleigh Kicksnoway. The Haudenosaunee Jr. Selects will also have a club in the girls’ junior varsity category, for those born between 2008-2010....
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Six Nations boxer captures Silver Gloves national championship
By Sam Laskaris Writer She didn’t have much competition. But Beth Smoke, a Six Nations member who lives in Sanborn, N.Y., is now a two-time American national boxing champion. Smoke, who is 13, took top honours in the girls’ intermediate heavyweight category, at the 2024 Silver Gloves National Championship, which concluded on Feb. 3 in the Missouri city of Independence. The intermediate division is for those aged 13 and 14. And those in the heavyweight grouping must weigh 176 pounds or over. Smoke had to beat just one other competitor, from Arkansas, to claim the national title. The majority of participants at the national meet had to qualify to take part. But there were no other intermediate heavyweight entrants at Smoke’s western New York local competition or her regional qualifier,...
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Snipers beat defending league champions for their first victory of the season
By Sam Laskaris Writer It took a lot longer than what they would have preferred. But the Six Nations Snipers finally managed to win an Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) game this season. The Snipers registered their first W of the current campaign this past Saturday when they downed the Toronto Monarchs, the defending league champs, 13-8 in a match held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). The Six Nations squad had lost its first seven outings this season. Snipers’ head coach Darcy Powless had an inkling that something positive would happen for his charges early on Saturday. “Maybe it was because we were playing at home again,” said Powless, who also doubles as the Snipers’ general manager. “It just seemed like a happy group of guys in the dressing room...
