Route 54 annual Harvest food give-away marks 15 years
By Lynda Powless Editor When it comes to family fun it doesn’t get any better than Route 54’s annual Harvestfest drive-thru food give-away. Kris Hill, owner, marked 15 years of feeding the community over Thanksgiving weekend. With the help of her extended family and friends over 12,000 pounds of food made its way into Six Nations homes. Volunteers filled over 720 re-usable bags and 500 plastic bags with harvest vegetables from beans to squash to onions to apples and more. Once filled the bags were given out to a line of vehicles that stretched down Highway 54 to the Chiefswood Road bridge, all waiting for their goodies. Kris says the event keeps getting “bigger and bigger so we just keep adding more stuff to it as best we can.” The...
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When one community’s legal decision signals others
First Nations across the country breathed a sigh of relief when the Supreme Court of Canada brought a 24-year-old legal battle between the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) and a former lawyer to an end last week. Kanesatake didn’t pay a legal bill launched by a former lawyer for services rendered. Over the years, with interest climbing, it turned into a $2 million debt. A debt for some reason it appears Kanesatake thought would go away. It didn’t. Earlier this month the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously upheld the $2 million debt ordering the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) to pay the bill in its ruling on Mohawk Council of Kanesatake vs Sylvestre. The ruling itself came as a huge disappointment to the community leadership who now say it will...
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Today in History
Oct 26 In 1988, two grey whales were freed by a Russian icebreaker in Barrow, Alaska. They were assisted by Inuit using chainsaws to cut the ice as the world looked on. A third trapped whale died before the rescue. In 2004, a Saskatchewan public inquiry found that aboriginal teenager Neil Stonechild, who froze to death in a snowy field on Saskatoon’s outskirts nearly 14 years earlier, was in police custody just before he died and that investigators closed the case In 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave his cabinet a major overhaul — dropping Harjit Sajjan from defence, Carolyn Bennett from Crown-Indigenous relations, Marc Garneau from global affairs and Patty Hajdu from health. In 2021, Carolyn Bennett was shuffled out as minister of Crown-Indigenous relations. First Nations leaders had...
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Six Nations Police charge three in impaired driving incidents
OHSWEKEN, ONT. – During the month of September, Six Nations Police charged three separate individuals in suspected impaired driving related occurrences. The first incident occurred on Sept. 10, at approximately 5:12 p.m., after police received multiple reports of a vehicle driving erratically near Fourth Line and Tuscarora Road. When they approached its last known location, they saw a vehicle disobey the stop sign at Fifth Line and Tuscarora Road. Police then initiated a pursuit, but it was terminated due to the high rate of speed. However, a short time later, they located a vehicle that matched the description. A 21-year-old male was identified as the driver and police noticed signs of impairment. As a result of the investigation, Quintan Bomberry-Burnham was arrested and charged with dangerous driving, flight from police,...
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Huge nomination turnout for Mississaugas of Credit First Nation coming elections
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) has finalized its nominees for this year’s Chief and Council election. From incumbents to newcomers it’s a huge list. After a meeting on Oct. 18, election officials determined that voters will have six nominees to choose from for Chief and 23 for the seven Council positions. In the running for Chief are Ellen Coady, Kenneth Scott Hughes, Arland K. LaForme, Margaret Sault, Nancy Rowe-Henry and current Elected Chief Claire Sault. Nominees for Council include Ellen Coady, Allen King, Craig King, Kerri L. King, Michele King, Valarie King, Jai King-Green, Arland K. LaForme, R. Kelly LaForme, Burl LaForme, Stephanie Lloy LaForme, Mike Maracle, Chris Myke, Katy Rowe, Tammy Rowe-Chapin, Kelly Orville Sault, Darin Wybenga and current Councillors Erma Ferrell, Jesse James Herkimer, Leslie Maracle,...
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Stars register victory in historic match
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Stars ensured that the return of senior women’s hockey in the community kicked off on a positive note. The Stars downed the Ilderton Jets 4-1 in a match held this past Friday at the Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Centre. The Stars are members of the Ontario Women’s Hockey League. Six Nations last had a senior women’s hockey squad way back in 1982. Stars’ head coach Brad Martin said getting the W in the club’s inaugural contest was significant. “It meant a lot to the team,” said Martin, who is also one of the founders of the local club. “And it meant a lot to me personally because it’s a big mark in the start of our franchise.” A pre-game ceremony on...
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SPORTS BRIEFS: Montour leaves Kraken for family matter
By Sam Laskaris Writer Montour leaves Kraken for family matter No doubt some local hockey fans were planning to travel to Toronto on Saturday while many others would have been glued to their televisions to watch hometown hero Brandon Montour in action. Montour’s current team the Seattle Kraken squared off against the host Toronto Maple Leafs in a National Hockey League contest. Seattle eked out a 4-3 overtime victory. But Montour, a 31-year-old Six Nations member who is a defenceman in his second season with the Kraken, did not play in the match. The Seattle club announced on Saturday morning via a social media post that their blueliner would be leaving the Kraken for a bit. “Defenceman Brandon Montour will be taking a temporary leave of absence to attend to...
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Ironmen drop two weekend matches
By Sam Laskaris Writer Despite a pair of late rallies, the Six Nations Ironmen were unable to pick up a win in either of their weekend Northern Premier Hockey League (NPHL) contests. For starters, the Ironmen travelled to the Acton on Saturday to square off against the host Halton Hill Coyotes. The Six Nations squad trailed 5-1 after the second period. Despite outscoring the Coyotes 3-1 in the final 20 minutes, the Ironmen were downed 6-4. Six Nations then hosted the Stratford Irish on Sunday. Though they jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead, the Ironmen were trailing by a pair of goals (5-3) entering the final frame. The hosts outscored the Irish 2-1 in the third period but were edged 6-5 by the visitors in the contest held at...
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Tuktoyaktuk ‘told to find funding within’ after major flood
By Aastha Sethi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong says Tuktoyaktuk is being left to deal with the aftermath of a historic storm surge on its own, despite widespread damage to roads and homes. Speaking at the Northwest Territories legislature on Tuesday, Armstrong described the flooding on August 30 as an event “never experienced before in recorded history.” She said water levels reached 2.6 metres – nearly 10 feet – and winds gusted up to 130 km/h. As a result, she said, the Arctic community was cut off from essential services after roads were damaged and blocked by high water and massive piles of driftwood. Weyallon Armstrong is the Monfwi MLA, representing the Tłı̨chǫ region. Lucy Kuptana, the MLA representing Tuktoyaktuk, is a cabinet member. Weyallon...
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Chief Evan Taypotat becomes Snowbirds’ first Indigenous honorary colonel
By Aaron Walker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com Chief Evan B.G. Taypotat of Kahkewistahaw First Nation was formally invested on Oct. 17 as Honorary Colonel of 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. Based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, the aerobatic team’s mission for the past five decades has been to showcase Canada’s military precision, skill and teamwork through public performances. The appointment of the honorary colonel title marks a first. Taypotat, a former Canadian Army captain, educator, and leader from Treaty 4 territory, is the first Indigenous person to hold the position with the Snowbirds. It’s a step that he and military leaders say reflects an evolving understanding of reconciliation within the Canadian Armed Forces. Standing inside Hangar 7 where the Snowbirds’ red-and-white...
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NWHU made it throught Ont. measles oubreak without a case
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source KENORA — The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) got through Ontario’s year-long measles outbreak without any cases of the infectious disease, the health unit said Tuesday in a news release. “Thanks to the vigilance of our community members and consistent efforts of community partners and health care providers, we made it through the Ontario outbreak without any cases,” said the release. “Every action taken, including checking destination risk when travelling, getting vaccinated and watching for symptoms, kept our communities safe.” The health unit provides MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) immunizations to children in schools according to provincial standards that recommend the vaccine for children ages 4 to 6. Patients can get the MMRV vaccine at a primary care clinic or...
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Thunder Bay Council rejects bid to axe shelter village
By Clint Fleury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY – City council voted to stay the course on the shelter village project. Coun. Rajni Agarwal’s notice of motion to remove the temporary shelter village from the city’s 10-part human rights-based community action plan was debated on Tuesday, with the majority of council saying they want to keep the village. Agarwal needed a super majority to strike the village from the plan; however, it was only coun. Trevor Giertuga who sided with her on the vote. Agarwal argued the city should be chasing federal funding to build permanent housing instead of investing in temporary measures. “The community wants a program that helps everyone. We need to look at the project, and I’ve asked to remove the village and replace it...
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Brant County OPP busts driver with suspended licence, no insurance
BRANT, ONT. – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged two people after a traffic stop in Brant County. On Oct. 17, at approximately 4:24 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle on Cockshutt Road North. OPP said further investigation revealed the driver was under licence suspension and had no current insurance coverage on the vehicle. As a result, 30-year-old Roy Isaacs of Brantford was charged with driving while under suspension and failure to surrender a vehicle permit. The owner of the vehicle, 26-year-old Sidney Isaacs of Brantford, was also charged with permitting a motor vehicle to be operated without insurance. In light of this occurrence, the OPP is reminding drivers to ensure anyone operating a motor vehicle on a highway has a valid licence and insurance. Those with information related...
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OPP, MTO initiative aims to improve road safety in Haldimand
OPP, MTO initiative improves road safety in Haldimand HALDIMAND COUNTY, ONT. – The Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) recently partnered with Ministry of Transportation (MTO) officers from Hamilton and Niagara on a co-ordinated commercial vehicle inspection initiative, designed to improve road safety. On Oct. 19, officers conducted a total of 20 inspections, which resulted in 19 charges for issues including improper brakes, no directional signals and emissions. Further, 12 vehicles were taken out of service due to safety concerns and five licence plates were removed. The initiative demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the OPP and its partners to ensure commercial vehicles travelling throughout the province meet safety standards and regulations. It will continue to collaborate with the MTO, as well as other agencies, to ensure compliance and public safety...
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AFN says it’s talking to the Vatican about returning sacred items
By Alessia Passafiume The Assembly of First Nations says it’s talking to the Vatican Museum about repatriating a number of sacred items from its collection. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says there are still a number of logistical issues that need to be addressed before the items can be returned, including protocols to ensure their safe transfer. The AFN says it will announce further details only after plans are finalized with the Vatican. Woodhouse Nepinak says the items held in the museum are “living, sacred pieces” and must be treated as such. She says the work is very important to First Nations communities which have been calling for the return of their artifacts for years. Woodhouse Nepinak thanked the late Pope Francis for his work to advance the repatriation of...
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Indigenous Services failing to improve critical First Nations services, audit says
By Alessia Passafiume Indigenous Services Canada is falling far behind on its efforts to address long-standing health and infrastructure problems in First Nations communities, the federal auditor general said in a report released Tuesday. Auditor General Karen Hogan said despite an 84 per cent increase in its spending since 2019, Indigenous Services Canada continues to struggle to expand access to clean drinking water and emergency services in First Nations communities. She found the department has failed to implement roughly half of the recommendations her office made between 2015 and 2022. Twenty years after the auditor general first raised concerns about First Nations’ access to clean drinking water, 35 long-term drinking water advisories remain in place and nine of them have been active for a decade or more, Hogan found. She...
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National chief calls for federal government to deem First Nations policing essential
By Alessia Passafiume The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations chided the federal government Monday for failing to deliver on its promise to introduce legislation to declare First Nations policing an essential service. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak told MPs on the House of Commons Indigenous affairs committee that the failure of governments to equally fund First Nations police services is leaving communities unsafe, with no way to address crime and hold perpetrators accountable. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau promised his government would bring forward a new First Nations policing law in 2020 but the law has yet to materialize. “First Nations police forces, they’re not trigger-happy, they don’t kill our people. They’re trying to be grounded in community,” Woodhouse Nepinak said, seated in front of a handful of First...
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Prominent totem pole returning to family after nearly 60 years due to deterioration
The Greater Vancouver Harbour Authority says a carved cedar totem pole that has stood between the ocean and British Columbia’s Parliament buildings since 1966 will be returned to the family of the artist due to its deterioration. A statement from the authority says the Kwakiutl Bear Pole carved by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Henry Hunt was repaired and repainted in 2014, but further deterioration has prompted its move to Fort Rupert on the northern coast of Vancouver Island. It says the pole will rest at the home of Hunt’s son. His son, Stan Hunt, says it was “amazing to think about how many people from around the world have learned about First Nations’ art and culture through this totem pole.” The pole has stood at the corner of Belleville and Government streets,...
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Auditor finds gaps in federal government’s cybersecurity shield as threats multiply
By Jim Bronskill The federal auditor found “significant gaps” in the government’s cybersecurity services, monitoring efforts and responses to active attacks on information systems. In a report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, Auditor General Karen Hogan said the federal government must continually bolster its defences as cyberattacks become more sophisticated, pervasive and harmful. In separate reports released Tuesday, Hogan found fault with federal efforts to respond to Canadians’ questions about tax issues, provide adequate housing for military members and address health and infrastructure problems in First Nations communities. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, the Communications Security Establishment and Shared Services Canada are responsible for protecting federal information technology systems and operations. Hogan said the organizations work together and with departments and agencies to prevent data theft and limit disruptions...
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Rural areas need natural gas: mayor
By Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Access to natural gas is “critical” if small municipalities like Conmee Township ever hope to expand and achieve “long-term energy security,” the township’s mayor says. In a letter last month to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Sheila Maxwell says natural gas helps “communities attract investment and enable economic growth.” “Conmee is committed to advancing local growth while ensuring access to energy infrastructure needs,” Maxwell says in the letter. The township is among rural Thunder Bay municipalities that remain without access to natural gas, even though the 14,000-kilometre Canadian Mainline gas pipeline passes through an area just north of the city as it winds across the country. Maxwell and other local municipal officials are hoping that might change as the province...
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