Today in History
February 9 In 2020, following consultations with Inuit leaders and people in the Northwest Territories, the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos made the decision to keep their team name. They later changed their minds, announcing on July 21st 2020 that the name would be discontinued, saying that views regarding the team name are “shifting.’’ The names “Edmonton Football Team’’ and “EE Football Team’’ were adopted while the organization began the process of establishing a new name. (The team officially became the Edmonton Elks in June 2021.) In 2018, a jury in Battleford, Sask., found farmer Gerald Stanley not guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Colten Boushie, 22, a member of the Red Pheasant First Nation, who died on Stanley’s farm near Biggar in August 2016. The verdict sparked rallies...
Register
UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: We Were Hockey Heroes
By Xavier Kataquapit I recently lost my cousin Joey Okimaw. We were childhood friends who had grown up together since we first entered grade school in Attawapiskat. Joey’s parents are Margaret and Peter Okimaw. Margaret is my first cousin and she is the daughter of my uncle Alex and aunt Susan Kataquapit. It was always exciting to be around Joey when we were kids because he was the first grandchild in Alex’s family. It meant that Joey and his siblings Gregory and June were always surrounded by a group of young, vibrant aunts and uncles. Alex’s children are Janie, John, Rosalyn, Bertha, Evelyn, Morris, James, David, Helen and Margaret. They are all older than me, so we younger cousins, looked up to all of them. My favourite memories of Joey...
Register
Ironmen square off against Coyotes in opening-round playoff series
By Sam Laskaris Writer Toss away all the regular season stats. That’s because a new phase of the 2025-26 campaign – the playoffs – is set to begin for the Six Nations Ironmen. The local senior men’s squad is in its inaugural season in the Northern Premier Hockey League (NPHL). The Ironmen had some ups and downs in regular season action, winning 10 of their 20 matches. The Six Nations squad wrapped up its regular season on Saturday, with a 5-4 shootout loss against the host Tilbury Bluebirds. The Ironmen ended up in second place in the North Division of the league’s Metropolitan Conference. The Six Nations side is now gearing up for its best-of-seven divisional semi-final series against the Halton Hills Coyotes. The Ironmen head into the series as...
Register
Hill brothers help Snipers earn victory over Bears
By Sam Laskaris Writer A pair of brothers who made their first appearances of the season played crucial roles for the Six Nations Snipers on Sunday. Former Snipers’ captain Vern Hill and his younger brother Thunder Hill helped the Snipers register a 16-14 Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) victory over the Ohsweken Bears. The match was held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). Thunder Hill led the Snipers’ attack as he scored four goals and added an assist for a five-point effort. Vern Hill, a defender, netted one goal and also earned an assist. Snipers’ head coach Darcy Powless was obviously pleased to have the brothers suit up for his squad on Sunday. “They’ve been on the list all season,” Powless said of the club’s roster. “They were just finally able...
Register
SPORTS BRIEFS: Rivermen have new league opponent with addition of Trenton franchise
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Rivermen will be squaring off against a new rival this season. That’s because it was recently announced the Ontario Series Lacrosse (OSL), the league the Rivermen compete in, is expanding by one team. The new OSL entry is the Trenton Kodiaks. This franchise will also serve as the Senior B affiliate for the Cobourg Kodiaks, who are members of the Major Series Lacrosse, a Senior A loop that includes the Six Nations Chiefs, the three-time defending national Mann Cup champions. With the addition of the Trenton franchise, the OSL will now consist of seven squads for the 2026 season. The league also includes the defending OSL champion Brooklin Merchants, Hamilton Bengals, Owen Sound North Stars, Collingwood Crushers and Ennismore James Gang. The 2026...
Register
Northwest Angle chief reports no trouble with border crossing
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source ANIMAKEE WA ZHING — To visit friends and relatives in Minnesota, members of one First Nation must cross the Canada-U.S. border three times. Chief Linda McVicar says her members haven’t had any trouble making the trip — so far. The Animakee Wa Zhing 37 chief told Newswatch the triple border crossing is a routine matter for the 60 or so people living on Windigo Islands, one of the First Nation’s two reserves. They commonly go to Minnesota to shop and see friends and family, she said. Windigo Islands lies just outside a small northward jut in the Canada-US. border with Manitoba to the west and Ontario to the north and east. The least inconvenient way to leave is over water...
Register
Dangerous person alert issued in Manitoba after woman abducted from home
Mounties have issued a dangerous person alert after a woman was abducted from a First Nation in northern Manitoba. Officers are searching for 39-year-old Joshua Paupanekis, alleging he fled with the woman after another person was attacked with a hammer in a home on Pimicikamak Cree Nation RCMP say Paupanekis was armed with a knife and that they believe 20-year-old Raeanne Thomas is in immediate danger. The alert lit up cellphones across the province. Multiple police units, along with police dogs, are searching the area. RCMP are asking the public for information and say the suspect shouldn’t be approached as he’s considered armed and dangerous. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2026. ...
Register
N.S. RCMP say officers faced racist comments during raid at Indigenous cannabis store
An RCMP manager in Nova Scotia says he takes issue with officers being called white supremacists and Nazis during a recent police raid of an Indigenous-run cannabis dispensary. Supt. Jason Popik with the Southwest Nova District RCMP says the remarks that officers heard during a Jan. 30 police search near the Annapolis Valley equate to racist commentary. Cody Ward is a Mi’kmaq man from Sipekne’katik First Nation who filmed police searching a truckhouse-style cannabis shop in Welton Landing, N.S., operated by his uncle. Ward, who asserts he has a treaty right to sell cannabis, can be heard on video saying the RCMP members are behaving like Nazis following orders. In an interview today, Ward said the officers carrying out the provincial government’s wishes to crack down on illegal cannabis are...
Register
Canadian Inuit head to Greenland to show solidarity, attend consulate opening
By Dylan Robertson As Canada prepares to launch its new consulate in Greenland this week, dozens of Inuit from across the Canadian Arctic flew into the Danish territory’s capital Nuuk on Thursday to show solidarity. Makivvik, the group representing Inuit from across northern Quebec, commissioned an Air Inuit flight Thursday from Montreal with more than 60 Inuit leaders and youth on board, along with a handful of journalists. The Canadian Press spoke with passengers on the flight about why they’re going. ‘Unity’ and ‘strength’ “It’s basically us wanting to show unity and our strength as Inuit, in being united,” said Makivvik vice-president Adamie Delisle Alaku. “We’re bringing a plane full of Inuit to show support and to show unity with our Greenlandic fellow Inuit facing all kinds of threats, especially...
Register
Officer tells fatality inquest he believed he would be hit by stolen vehicle
By Brittany Hobson A Winnipeg officer who was on the scene of a fatal police shooting of a 16-year-old First Nations girl says he thought his life was in danger. Const. Serge Sylvestre told an inquest into the death of Eishia Hudson that he was standing near the stolen Jeep she was driving when his partner fired the first shot. Sylvestre says he tried to apprehend the driver, but feared he would be hit when the vehicle started moving backward in his direction. Eishia was killed in 2020 after the vehicle she was driving was involved in a liquor store robbery and police chase. The inquest is to look at whether systemic racism played a role in the death and whether the use of force was appropriate. Inquests don’t assign...
Register
BC commits $3.3M in funding for flood mitigation planning in the Sumas Prairie
By Robyn Bell, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Fraser Valley Current After back-to-back flood events in December and January, the province is putting some financial backing toward flood mitigation in the Sumas Prairie. “December’s flooding in the Sumas region was a vivid reminder that this critical national economic and transportation corridor is highly prone to water surges during periods of heavy rainfall,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. The province is putting $3.3 million toward the Sumas River Watershed Flood Mitigation Planning Initiative, which was created in 2021 after disastrous floods hit the region. The initiative is made up of the Semá:th, Máthxwi and Leq’á:mel First Nations, the City of Abbotsford, the City of Chilliwack, and the province. The initiative was told of the funding in December,...
Register
Historic Indigenous Investment Adds Momentum to Edmonton Downtown Development
By Chevi Rabbit, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News (ANNews) – Northern Ontario’s Wiikwemkong First Nation has made a landmark investment in Edmonton’s Ice District, purchasing the site of the cancelled Canadian Western Bank tower for $65.25 million. Located at 10308 103 St NW, the site is currently home to Connect Centre, a two-storey commercial complex completed in 2022 and anchored by Loblaws CityMarket, with tenants including CIBC, National Bank, and the Edmonton Oilers Official Team Store. A 16-storey office tower, originally planned for the site, was cancelled after Canadian Western Bank opted to relocate to Manulife Place. The Nation’s purchase marks the first time Wiikwemkong First Nation has invested outside its traditional territory in Ontario. Edmonton’s downtown has faced challenges in recent years, including higher office vacancy rates,...
Register
Dangerous person alert issued in Manitoba after woman abducted from home
Mounties have issued a dangerous person alert after a woman was abducted from a First Nation in northern Manitoba. Officers are searching for 39-year-old Joshua Paupanekis, alleging he fled with the woman after another person was attacked with a hammer in a home on Pimicikamak Cree Nation RCMP say Paupanekis was armed with a knife and that they believe 20-year-old Raeanne Thomas is in immediate danger. The alert lit up cellphones across the province. Multiple police units, along with police dogs, are searching the area. RCMP are asking the public for information and say the suspect shouldn’t be approached as he’s considered armed and dangerous. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2026. ...
Register
Cree Nation of Mistissini reels from a double-murder last week
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase The Cree Nation of Mistissini is reeling after a shooting last week that left two people dead. Michael Petawabano, Chief of the Cree Nation of Mistissini, offering his condolences and support to the victims’ families in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. “Our hearts are heavy with grief for the lives lost and the families affected by this tragedy,” Petawabano said. The community was placed under lockdown at approximately 6:40 a.m. last Thursday. Schools and community buildings were closed and all non-emergency travel was restricted. The lockdown was initiated after reports that two individuals had been killed the previous evening at around 9 p.m. Authorities later identified the victims as 30-year-old Bedabin Neeposh and 29-year-old Daniel Benac. The lockdown was lifted later...
Register
Haldimand County OPP investigate rifle theft
HALDIMAND COUNTY – Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating the theft of a firearm stolen from a vehicle parked at a residential property in Haldimand County. OPP received a report of a firearm being stolen overnight from a Haldibrook Road address Wednesday February 4, 2026, at about 11:00 a.m.,. The investigation determined that unknown individuals attended the property and entered a parked motor vehicle, removing a long gun. The stolen firearm is described to be a bolt action rifle. Video surveillance revealed two subjects were involved and investigators are asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Haldimand OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may leave an online tip at www.helpsolvecrime.com or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward...
Register
Collaboration needed to tackle ‘immense’ homelessness problem: joint statement
By Clint Fleury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY – First Nations and city leaders say they are committed to working together on the homelessness crisis in the city following a meeting on Tuesday. “It was very collegial because we all understand how immense this problem is and that the only way of achievement in this is by large-scale community and regional cooperation,” Mayor Ken Boshcoff told Newswatch later that day. Boshcoff met with Chief Michele Solomon of Anemki Wajiw (Fort William First Nation) and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler to discuss the loss of life in the city’s homeless population after Solomon and Fiddler sent a letter to Boshcoff, urging the city to declare a state of emergency. “I think that all the groups who...
Register
Quebec Native Women speak out following death of Atikamekw woman
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Quebec Native Women (QNW) has reiterated its commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls following the death of Marie-Kate Ottawa last week. In a public statement on Thursday, QNW president Marjolaine Étienne expressed solidarity with Ottawa’s family and the broader community. “I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the families and to all those who are profoundly affected by this tragedy, which reopens a pain that is all too familiar in our communities, particularly for Indigenous women and girls,” Étienne said. Ottawa was a 39-year-old Atikamekw woman from Manawan, Quebec. On Sunday, January 25, Manawan public safety officers responded to a call at a private residence, where Ottawa was found deceased. Authorities believe her death...
Register
Dene Nation ‘stands firm against separatist referendum’
By Aastha Sethi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio The Dene Nation is voicing support for First Nations in Alberta who oppose a proposed referendum that could advance the province toward separation from Canada. In a Wednesday news release, the Dene Nation said the movement has sparked controversy and opposition across the province in recent years, fuelled by “political and economic grievances.” Indigenous groups have said Alberta separatism cannot move forward without their consent because treaties were signed before the province existed. Some Alberta First Nations have launched legal challenges against the proposed referendum. Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, for example, has filed a statement of claim and is seeking an injunction to halt the process. Stay Free Alberta, the group behind the petition, needs approximately 177,700 valid signatures by May...
Register
After more than three decades in service to his community, Naicatchewenin First Nation chief Wayne Smith retires
By Liam Oliver Neilson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Fort Frances Times If there’s one thing that Wayne Smith has valued highly during a remarkable 32-year tenure as chief of Naicatchewenin First Nation, it’s consistency. While many First Nations see a high turnover in governance – the average length in Canada for a single executive position is around 3.5 years – Smith’s continued re-election over three decades reflects the community’s lasting faith in his leadership, as well as his dedication to the place he calls home. “Consistency, to me, always goes a long way,” he told The Times. “You’re able to do a lot of things if you maintain with one leadership, you’re able to move things along.” After retiring on Jan. 17, Smith, 63, looks back fondly on his career...
Register
Building up engineers: RRC Polytech, U of M celebrate collaboration
The University of Manitoba and Red River College Polytechnic are making it easier for engineering technologists to earn a degree. Against the backdrop of a career fair, representatives from both post-secondary institutions gathered at U of M on Wednesday to celebrate their expanded partnership. The schools finalized a series of agreements that give recent RRC Polytech graduates direct entry into the Price Faculty of Engineering. “We’ve all heard stories — sometimes, from our own students — about individuals who’ve left the province to pursue engineering degrees elsewhere,” said Derek Kochenash, who oversees RRC Polytech’s school of skilled trades and technologies. “While they gain valuable experience, we know there are missed opportunities for those who cannot or would prefer not to leave their communities.” This collaboration solves that challenge by giving...
Register
