Brantford Police investigate overnight shooting
BRANTFORD, ONT- Brantford Police Service (BPS) are investigating a shooting outside a city nightclub that had one man taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries in the early hours of Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Brantford Police were dispatched to a nightclub at Colborne Street near Clarence Street at about 12:10 a.m., Wednesday, June 4, 2025, after receiving a report of a shooting outside a nightclub. BPS said a male victim was transported to hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and the investigation is “active and ongoing.” BPS said it is believed to be an isolated incident. No arrests have been made at this time and officers will remain in the area to investigate the incident. Police do not believe there to be any impact to public safety as a result of...
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Six Nations Police charge man after spotting “inconsistent” driving behaviour
OHSWEKEN, ON -A 53-year-old man is facing charges after Six Nations Police spotted “inconsistent” driving behaviour after following vehicle in a laneway of a closed establishment. Six Nations Police (SNP) said at about 3:55 a.m. on Sunday, May 11, 2025, while on general patrol saw a “suspicious vehicle halfway up the laneway of a closed establishment on Mohawk Road.” SNP said they saw the vehicle leave the property after police drove by. Police followed the vehicle and said they saw what they described as “inconsistent driving behaviours”. Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle to confirm the sobriety of the driver when the vehicle failed to stop for police. SNP followed the vehicle to a private laneway where they spoke with the male driver of the vehicle...
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Six Nations Police charge woman with impaired driving
OHSWEKEN, ON- A Brantford resident is facing impaired driving charges and other criminal offences after a single vehicle collision. Six Nations Police received information at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6th that a single motor vehicle was in the ditch on Second Line with a woman in the driver’s seat of the motor vehicle. SNP said when the located the vehicle a woman was still in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Police said e woman was assessed by Emergency Medical Services at the scene and signs of impairment were observed. As a result of the investigation, police have arrested and charged Melissa Curley, 47, of Brantford, Ontario with the following criminal offences: – Impaired Operation – Alcohol per se Offence “80 plus” – Dangerous Driving The accused is scheduled...
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‘Indigenous rights are not red tape’: Ontario’s controversial Bill 5 could spark a new Idle No More Movement
By Anushka Yadav, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Pointer After travelling 1,146 kilometres, Sharon Sakanee of Neskantaga First Nationstood at the doors of Queen’s Park with her grandson Micah on a rainy evening with a message: “No to Bill 5. No to the Ring of Fire. No destruction. No bulldozers. Not here. Not on our lands.” The Attawapiskat River, near the spot where Sakanee’s father and grandparents were born, flows through her traditional territory and lies within the “Ring of Fire” region in Northern Ontario. “Doug Ford wants to cross over that river with his bulldozer, where I continue to use that river system to hunt fish with my grandson,” she told a crowd of environmental advocates, Indigenous leaders and concerned Ontarians gathered at a rally on May 28. “That...
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Rallying against Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Bill 5
Two-person rally against Bill 5 “concerns everyone” By Tara Lindemann Writer Two women from Missisaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) caught the attention of Friday evening commuters by posting neon signs opposing Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Bill 5. “I didn’t do this because I expected 100 people to show up, ” said Jai King-Green, as she hammered in signage at the southwest corner of Highway 6 and First line Road, between honks of support. “This is about ensuring people are made aware how destructive this bill is, and that it affects everyone, not just our people. ”The bill totally disregards Treaties and their obligations, for a start.” Bill 5, or the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, was introduced last month by Minister of Energy and Mines, Hon....
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That’s a wrap: Community Awareness Month Celebrations
By Tara Lindemann Writer It was meant to be a week, but Six Nations of the Grand River celebrated what became Community Awareness Month. Among the several activities during the final week of events was the sounds of activity echoing from Veterans Park on May 27, as visitors enjoyed Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP). More than 400 people perused interactive information booths, experienced sustenance including ice cream, some sat to receive portrait caricatures, others who fit inside the bouncy castle had a fun time of it. “Community Awareness is essential for our Six Nations community as it allows all agencies, staff and students to learn about the organization’s opportunities available to them in a fun, engaging and inviting environment,” said Marketing and Events Coordinator for the school, Katrina Cattrysse. “SNP is...
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Six Nations Elected Council approves $27 million in funding to build immersion school
OHSWEKEN, ON – Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) has approved spending $27 million to build the longed for Kawenní:io/Gawení:yo Elementary and Secondary School (KG). SNEC approved the $27 million expenditure in a closed Political Liaison meeting Monday, May 26th 2025 . Turtle Island News has learned that $6 million of the $27 million is coming from Six Nations Social Services’ Jordan Principle funding and the remaining $21 million from the community’s Ontario First Nations Ltd., Partnership funding received from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn did not comment on where the funding was coming from. SNEC, in the same closed meeting, also accepted a tender for the project from Lanca Contracting. It is expected to take two years to build the school. In a statement Six...
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Six Nations Elected Council imposes cannabis moratorium
The Six Nations Elected Council has imposed a moratorium on cannabis licenses effective May 26, 2025, pausing all license renewals until at least November. The move comes in response to growing community concern about unregulated outdoor cannabis production facilities and to give Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) time to review and amend its cannabis legislation. Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill read a statement to the community at the General Council meeting on May 27 and said the moratorium may be extended for an additional six months, if necessary. “We ask for your continued patience as we all work to uphold the cannabis law and its regulations in a manner that is fair to all involved,” she said. The announcement followed a committee report from Councillor Cynthia Jamieson, chair of the Wealth...
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From funding infrastructure land issues emerge in SNEC meeting
Six Nations committees continue to address infrastructure, land use, and funding issues. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) committees gave verbal reports at the General Council meeting on May 27 highlighting community funding requests, infrastructure concerns, environmental challenges, and land stewardship priorities. The Community and Data Governance Committee, chaired by Councillor Dean Hill, had no updates to present, as their latest meeting was deferred. Co-Chair Councillor Dayle Bomberry shared developments from the meeting, including an anticipated funding request from a local organization for an annual event. More details are expected to be presented at an upcoming General Finance meeting. Bomberry also said the Six nations Fire Department would like approval for a request to reallocate funding in its budget to establish a small capital reserve, intended to support future equipment purchases....
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Six Nations student discusses self governance in Model Senate
By Tara Lindemann Writer Claudia Miller has walked through the halls of Parliament and resonated nation-to-nation governance to her colleagues. Miller and other post-secondary students across Canada participated in the fifth year of the Model Senate, a three-day dive into parliamentary functions: Miller’s task as a “member” of the Standing Committee was to discuss amendments to the Cannabis Act and Indigenous rules for the sale of cannabis. “It got me really thinking about issues,” said the 23-year-old University of Toronto student. “Obviously for Six Nations we have our own police, but for other nations, we need to put in somewhere a funding mechanism for nations that don’t have their own police force, or don’t have access to those types of resources to even enforce the bill we were discussing.” Sen....
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Six Nations Elected Council gets new CEO
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) appointed new executive leadership, naming Tracy Brant as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Debra Jonathan as Chief Operating Officer (COO). The pair were mentioned during SNEC’s General Finance meeting on June 2, but neither spoke, and no formal introduction was given. Brant, a member of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, previously served as Chief Administrative Officer for the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) for a short period and she led The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Education Department as well at the Education Department at the Chippewas of the Thames. She steps into the CEO role with a background in Indigenous administration and executive leadership, including experience overseeing intergovernmental relations and organizational development. She was the Director of Community Wellbeing at Walpole Island and...
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Environmental groups and some First Nations oppose Ontario’s Bill 5 to boost mining
By Blair McBride The Northern Miner |Ontario Premier Doug Ford’ may see his Bill 5, aimed at boosting mining as an “opportunity of a lifetime” but First Nations hitting the pavement in protests don’t. The proposed law, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act 2025, aims to accelerate mining development and create First Nations-led special economic zones such as for the Ring of Fire region north of Lake Superior, but Indigenous leaders are challenging it. “Bill 5 is a direct attack on our nations, our people, our treaties, and our future generations,” Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) told a standing committee meeting at Queen’s Park, according to a release. NAN represents 49 First Nations in Ontario’s North. “Ontario is claiming they are fast-tracking this...
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Oh Doug…really!
Well, it’s summer, so it’s protest season…thanks to Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford. In a rush to put a shovel in the ground the Premier is pushing through Bill 5, “Unleashing our Economy Act 2025,” with plans to get mining moving, along with Ontario’s economy. A move he called an “opportunity of a lifetime.” Unfortunately for the Premier, not everyone sees it that way or accepts his attempt to bring First Nations on board, without consultation by creating what he calls First Nations-led special economic zones that will include the already controversial Ring of Fire region north of Lake Superior. If making the move to develop on First Nations lands without prior consultation isn’t bad enough, the Premier, in true Ford style, told First Nations it’s what they want.” “This is...
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Cannabis farm owner claims petition is “rooted in misinformation”
By Tara Lindemann, Writer Legacy Farms owner, Aaron Porter, claims a petition calling for accountability over his cannabis grow operation is rooted in misinformation. Along with him, Six Nations Cannabis Commission (SNCC) ,has confirmed the company , Legacy Farms, has followed the license application process. “Legacy Farms have been extremely cooperative working with the Six Nations Cannabis Commission,” said Acting Commissioner, Jami-Lee Baxter. SNCC issued the Legacy Farms press release on May 30. In the release, Porter, as “sole owner,” says he is “proud to operate a fully licensed cannabis production facility in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Six Nations Cannabis Commission, and the Elected Band Council of the Six Nations of the Grand River (SNGREC).” “From the outset, my goal has been to support community standards,...
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Bomberry racking up points for Rivermen AND Chiefs
By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations own Davin Bomberry is certainly making an impression in his first season in the senior box lacrosse ranks. The 21-year-old is a member of the Six Nations Rivermen, the local Senior B squad. Though he’s only played four of the seven Rivermen games thus far this season, Bomberry is tied for third place in team scoring with 13 points, including nine goals. The Six Nations Chiefs, the two-time defending national Mann Cup champions, have also been calling up Bomberry and utilizing him as an affiliated player this season. He appeared in the Chiefs’ first three matches and earned five points, including four goals. Being summoned to play with the Chiefs, members of Major Series Lacrosse, provided Bomberry with the opportunity to play with his...
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Pro lacrosse goalie still eligible to play for Arrows
By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations Arrows’ goalie Ethan Robertson is a bit of a rarity. The 20-year-old already has some pro experience, having spent the 2024-25 campaign with the Colorado Mammoth, who compete in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Robertson was for the most part on the Mammoth practice roster. But he was shifted to the active roster and started one game while serving as the backup for a couple of other contests. But Robertson, who turned 20 in March, still has junior eligibility remaining. He’s now in his fourth season with the Arrows. And he’ll also be able to suit up for the local Junior A squad during its 2026 season. The veteran-laden Arrows entered the week sporting a 5-1 record, good for top spot in the 11-team...
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Six Nations member leading Can-Am league in goals
By Sam Laskaris, Writer Six Nations member Layne Smith is making a name for himself in his first full season with the Allegany Arrows. Smith had started the 2024 season with his hometown Senior B squad, the Six Nations Rivermen. But he requested a trade to the Allegany Arrows, a club based in New York state which competes in the Can-Am Lacrosse League. Smith helped the Arrows win their league title last year. And the Allegany club also captured the bronze medal at the Presidents Cup, the Canadian Senior B tournament, which was held last August in Delta, B.C. As for this year, Smith, who is 27, has taken his game up a notch with the Arrows. In fact, after his first 10 games he was the top goalscorer in...
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Indigenous services minister says First Nations support for developments ‘critical’
By Alessia Passafiume The federal minister of Indigenous services says she and the other Indigenous members of cabinet support their party’s plan to fast-track infrastructure development — despite significant pushback from First Nations leaders. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty said Tuesday that Prime Minister Mark Carney has “reaffirmed” First Nations will be included in discussions about projects the federal government could fast-track under pending legislation, and that their input is “critical” to allowing those projects to move forward. “Myself, as well as the other Indigenous members of cabinet, support this process,” Gull-Masty said. “We believe that the prime minister is taking the rights steps forward, having early engagement, having early dialogue with national leadership, but also directly with First Nations that are impacted by a project in territory.” The national...
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Carney says he’ll ‘take note’ of opposition motion to table a spring economic update
By David Baxter Prime Minister Mark Carney said he will “take note” of the successful opposition motion to add language calling for a spring economic update to the throne speech, but did not say when or how that will happen. “We take note of last night’s motion. But what Canadians deserve … what Canadian provinces deserve is a health care transfer, a transfer for child care, a transfer for dental care and a transfer to support affordability. That’s what’s in the main estimates and we expect the support of members opposite,” Carney said during question period Tuesday. The government last week tabled main spending estimates worth nearly $487 billion. MPs will be required to vote on the estimates to keep government operations running into the summer. Conservative and Bloc MPs...
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