High-stakes fight over old growth trees intensifies as police make seven arrests
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa The 15-foot wooden cougar sculpture erected this summer to block forestry workers from accessing the Upper Walbran Valley in Pacheedaht First Nations territory is a pile of cold ashes on the dirt road. Pacheedaht elder Bill Jones, 85, has been a constant advocate for the old growth forest within Pacheedaht lands. He says his prayer hut and guest cabin were also torched during enforcement of the court-ordered injunction that was granted to C̕awak ʔqin Forestry (Tsawak-qin), which is 35 per cent co-owned by Huu-ay-aht First Nation and 65 per cent co-owned Western Forest Products (WFP), began on Nov. 25. “The RCMP stood by while my property was destroyed. I don’t know who did it because they wouldn’t let any witnesses up there,”...
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Charlie Williams steps down as chief of Ulkatcho FirstNation
By Andie Mollins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Williams Lake Tribune Nelson (Charlie) Williams announced his resignation as chief of Ulkatcho First Nation effective Tuesday, Dec. 2 due to family priorities. Williams was first elected in April 2025 following the leadership of Chief Lynda Price and has previously served as councillor. “Serving as your Chief has been one of the greatest honours of my life,” Williams wrote in a letter announcing his resignation. “I am deeply grateful for the trust, support and collaboration you have shown me throughout my many terms as Council and as your Chief.” Read more: Ulkatcho First Nation elects Charlie Williams as chief The letter was shared on the Ulkatcho First Nation’s Facebook page on Nov. 25, accompanied by the council’s regrets to see the chief...
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Municipalities seek direction on incidental cabins
By Joe O’Grady, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker ARMSTRONG TOWNSHIP – The provincial government is being urged to take the lead in addressing a contentious issue pitting indigenous traditional land uses against environmental, public health and municipal zoning concerns. The Temiskaming Municipal Association (TMA) is expressing concern over “the lack of provincial policy for incidental cabins within municipal boundaries.” As outlined in a recent presentation to the TMA by Coleman Township administrators Suzie Fournier and Chris Oslund, incidental cabins are temporary shelters that support the exercise of treaty or Aboriginal rights, such as hunting, fishing and harvesting. The Supreme Court has ruled that building such cabins is reasonably necessary when practicing these rights in a traditional way. “Incidental cabins are becoming increasingly common, yet municipalities currently lack clear guidance...
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Six Nations’ new Tourism Information Centre
With the historic Pauline Johnson House in the background, work on Six Nations’ new Tourism Information Centre is continuing despite the weather. The huge two-storey structure will also include offices for tourism staff. (Photo by Jim C. Powless)...
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Six Nations residents corner elected council on cannabis
Six Nations community members are pleading with Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) again to stop a massive cannabis grow-op abutting a residential area. Nancy Porter, and several supporters, delivered two-and-a-half hours of emotional, almost tearful testimony to SNEC at its Nov. 25th meeting. Porter, whose property abutts the grow-op, pleaded with SNEC to take immediate action to shut down all unregulated cannabis operations on the territory citing safety concerns and environmental impacts. Porter has been working to shut down the grow-op, behind her home, since it went into operation six months ago. Along with another Six Nations band member, Brenda Johnson, the two women described escalating threats, fear for their families, and a lack of clarity around governance, enforcement, and accountability. Porter pleaded if anything happens to them, it wasn’t...
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Opposition to Six Nations cannabis industry growing
For the second time in six months Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) found itself facing community concerns over the local regulated and unregulated cannabis industry including concerns of potential violence erupting. Local residents along with a Tyendinaga resident, told SNEC the community may have to take matters into their own hands to force the shut down of Legacy Farms, a 110 acre cannabis grow operation owned by Aaron Porter. Porter holds a massive operation. Nancy Porter has been pressuring SNEC to shut down the farm operating behind her home. She warned they may have to resort to force with the support of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC), to shut it down . Several community members expressed frustration and fear about cannabis, drug use, and safety in the community. Some...
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First Nations Leaders Gather in Ottawa this week for Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly
OTTAWA-The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) opened here December 2 and runs to Dec-4, 2025. This annual assembly has a full agenda with National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak opening the event and a welcome from Chief Jean Guy Whiteduck and Regional Chief Abram Benedict. Chiefs will discuss a number of issues including: • The federal Major Projects Office and its Indigenous Advisory Committee • The urgent need for financing for First Nations infrastructure • Review of the Crown’s latest efforts to address longstanding human rights violations of First Nations collective and individual identities. The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister, will address the Assembly and several Cabinet Ministers will be in attendance over the three days. The annual meeting provides an opportunity for Chiefs from all...
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Search of Winnipeg landfill for woman killed by serial killer starts: Kinew
A search of a Winnipeg landfill for the remains of a woman killed by a convicted serial killer began Monday (Dec 1, 2026). Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the first truckload of debris at the Brady Road landfill was transferred to a search facility where workers will comb through it for the remains of Ashlee Shingoose. The woman, originally from St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation in northern Manitoba, was one of four First Nations women killed by Jeremy Skibicki in 2022. Kinew says he took part in a ceremony at the site with Shingoose’s parents and her sister to mark the start of the search, as well as offer support to the staff who will be leading the recovery. A search of another landfill for the remains of Morgan Harris...
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Six Nations to look at community current and future energy use
Six Nations post approved the Community Energy Champion to submit four funding proposals to the Independent Electricity System Operator for more than $450,000. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) was given an update on the Community Energy Plan (CEP) at the General Council meeting on November 25. The update outlined local energy use trends, completed engagement activities, infrastructure progress, and next steps for long-term conservation and renewable energy initiatives. Crystal Campbell, Community Energy Champion, and Shane Hill of Cambium Indigenous Professional Services shared data showing that transportation continues to be the community’s largest energy demand. “About 55 per cent of all energy used within Six Nations goes toward transportation, that’s gasoline and diesel,” Shane Hill said Electricity, natural gas, propane, wood, and heating oil make up the remainder of community energy...
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Six Nation community trust veteran trustee re-elected
Sasha Maracle will serve a second term as the Six Nations Community Development Trust’s (SNCDT’s) non-resident trustee, after a two-week election process brought her a landslide win. Maracle was first elected to the board of trustees six years ago, with her term set to expire on Nov. 30. The SNCDT put out a call for nominations in September, and in early October, two nominees were announced: Maracle and Kristina Austin. Community members then had the option to cast their vote in the advanced polls on Nov. 15 or the general voting polls on Nov. 22, at Oneida Business Park. From the beginning, Maracle actively campaigned for re-election, posting frequently to her personal and “Vote Sasha Maracle” Facebook pages, even in the final hours before polls closed. Evidently, her hard work...
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Roundabout, conferences and Six Nations Tourism award finalist
Six Nations committees continue to move forward with community conferences, the roundabout on Highway 54 and many other projects. During the November 25 Six Nations Elected Council Council (SNEC) meeting, Council proceeded through a series of committee recommendations and verbal updates. SNEC approved the Parks and Recreation Department’s unsolicited public amenity proposal policy and will require all future unsolicited proposals to “follow the defined review and approval process.” SNEC approved a motion to allow the Data Governance Committee to meet every other month starting January 2026. Councillor Dayle Bomberry said the motion should state that the terms of reference and mandate should also be amended “so it becomes an official record of your committee policy.” Councillor Dean Hill, the chair of the Data Governance Committee said that meeting every other...
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Six Nations, MCFN in planning for Hamilton’s 2026 JUNO Awards
It’s official: the 2026 JUNO Awards are coming to TD Coliseum, courtesy of Hamilton, Six Nations and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN). Six Nations Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill and MCFN Chief Claire Sault recently joined Mayor Andrea Horwath in Hamilton, to announce the newly renovated arena as the venue for the 55th annual event. Hosted by The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and CBC, the ceremony will be held on Mar. 29, 2026. Addressing the crowd at TD Coliseum on Nov. 24, Sault reflected on the importance of the upcoming awards in recognizing the creativity of Indigenous artists, as well as their role in the evolution of Canada’s music industry. “As we prepare for this landmark celebration, we are excited to see Indigenous artists, youth,...
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Thomas King, another pretender?
He has to be kidding. After decades of people questioning author Thomas L. King’s claim to being indigenous, suddenly, out of nowhere, he comes forward admitting he is indeed not part Cherokee has no Cherokee descendancy. He didn’t just issue a statement either. He used a national newspaper, the Globe and Mail, as his venue to play the victim and control the narrative and backlash as he came clean after years of facing questions about his claims. Thomas L. King claimed he was Cherokee based on family stories he said he had heard over the years that his deceased father was half Cherokee. Now, in the real world of Indigenous people, that would spur you on to find out if it was true and more importantly find your family connection....
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Today in History
Dec 3 In 2021, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommended COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for people over the age of 50 in response to the spread of the Omicron variant. And it strongly suggested boosters for anyone who got two shots of the Oxford-AstraZeneca or Janssen vaccine, as well as front-line health care workers and First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. Dec 5 In 1989, former Indian and northern affairs minister John Munro was charged with breach of trust, conspiracy, corruption, fraud, theft, uttering forged documents and other related offences. In 1990, Manitoba Indians signed an agreement with the federal government that would lead to native control of education on reserves. Dec 6 1869 Red River Rebellion – Governor General John Young, Lord Lisgar proclaims a pardon for...
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Second Generation Cutoff hurting Indigenous children
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is coming under fire for consulting with Indigenous organizations on proposed Second Generation cutoff changes before consulting with the communities themselves. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) chastised ISC during a meeting Friday (Nov., 28) for moving to amend the Second Generation cutoff for future band members without talking to them. “How come no First Nations were involved to be the advisory?” Elected Chief Sherri-Lynn Hill asked ISC reps. ISC representatives met with SNEC to discuss Bill S-2 and plans to amend the second-generation cutoff. ISC senior policy analyst and portfolio manager Alexa Hajjar, and operational policy officer Paula Suitor provided an overview of recent Senate amendments and is coming collaborative process. Instead, they were questioned over why First Nation organizations were being consulted before First Nation...
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Former junior defenceman credited with first senior win with Ironmen as a goaltender
By Sam Laskaris Writer Chris Hrabec is living out his childhood dream. And now Hrabec, who is 31, can brag about getting his first win as a Senior A hockey goalie. Hrabec made 33 saves and backstopped the Six Nations Ironmen to a 3-2 victory over the visiting Halton Hills Coyotes in a Northern Premier Hockey League (NPHL) contest on Sunday. The game was held at the Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Centre. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Ironmen. The local club is now sporting a 5-6 record in its inaugural season in the NPHL. “That one felt good for sure, to get off our back and get off that losing streak,” said Hrabec, a Brantford resident who is a citizen of the Métis Nation...
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Jamieson backstops FireWolves to victory in historic NLL game
By Sam Laskaris Writer For the first time since he broke into the National Lacrosse League (NLL) back in 2017, Six Nations member Doug Jamieson will not have to make lengthy cross-border trips to play home games. That’s because Jamieson, a 29-year-old goaltender, is now a member of the Oshawa FireWolves. Jamieson has spent his entire pro career with the same organization, starting off with the Connecticut-based New England Black Wolves. He played four years with the Black Wolves. The club relocated to New York and became known as the Albany FireWolves in 2021. After four seasons in Albany, the franchise moved once again this year, to Durham Region, and now calls Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre its home. Jamieson played a key role in NLL history this past Friday during...
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Local junior lacrosse clubs to stage joint December training sessions
By Sam Laskaris Writer Representatives from three Six Nations junior lacrosse clubs are once again joining forces to get a glimpse into their futures. This marks the second year the Six Nations Arrows (Junior A), Six Nations Rebels (Junior B) and Six Nations Stealth (Junior C) will co-host a late December training camp. The event, named the Six Nations Junior Lacrosse Training Camp, will be held Dec. 27-28 at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. “It gives everybody, all the team managers and coaches a good chance to see some of the boys get a run during the Christmas break,” said Delby Powless, a director with the Six Nations Arrows. All three junior clubs traditionally commence their own training camps in the spring. But officials from the Arrows, Rebels and Stealth opted...
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Class-action lawsuit certified against CN and CP railways over Lytton, B.C., fire
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge says a class-action lawsuit against Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways can move ahead after a catastrophic fire in June 2021 burned most of the community of Lytton, B.C. The ruling released Tuesday from Justice Ward Branch says there’s “some basis in fact” to support the plaintiffs’ allegations that the “horrific fire” was caused by railway operations, where CN and CP have parallel tracks that run through the town. It says several lawsuits were filed after the fire, including by individuals and First Nations, and a “competing” class-action was denied certification in 2023. The representative plaintiff in the certified action is Carel Moiseiwitsch, whose home in Lytton was destroyed by the fire, along with the assets of her and her husband’s home-based information technology...
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Carney says First Nations clean water legislation will come next spring
By Alessia Passafiume Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government will introduce clean drinking water legislation in the spring, delaying a bill that had been promised for this fall. Carney promised to revive the legislation during an address to the Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa on Tuesday, saying he will host a joint meeting with federal, provincial, territorial and First Nations leaders early in the new year and that co-ordination on water solutions will be a key agenda item. Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty said in July she would reintroduce legislation to ensure First Nations’ right to clean drinking water this fall, despite calls from Alberta and Ontario for Ottawa to scrap the bill altogether. The Ontario and Alberta environment ministers sent a letter to their federal...
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