Sprinklers laid out in Jean Marie River as wildfire creeps closer
By Eric Bowling, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North Firefighters have laid sprinklers in Jean Marie River in anticipation of a potential evacuation due to a wildfire burning 20 kilometres from the community. “Last night we mobilized a team of structure protection specialists to prepare Jean Marie River to be protected ahead of the Northwest wind event today,” stated NWT Fire on their social media feed Wednesday. “A perimeter of wet line has been set along the North end of the community. “We will continue to work to minimize fire growth in the bush, while being proactive to keep Jean Marie River safe should the fire exceed control efforts.” Currently 4,147 hectares in size, wildfire FS014-25 remains out of control according to NWT Fire. The GNWT stated five fire crews,...
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Museum of North Vancouver receives $400K to boost Coast Salish programming
By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Shore News The Museum of North Vancouver has received a hefty chunk of cash to continue its programming tied to local Coast Salish education and culture. BMO gifted $400,000 to the Museum and Archives of North Vancouver (MONOVA), which will go to education, hands-on activities and events related to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). “We recognize the ethical responsibility that museums and archives have in deepening understanding and respect for Indigenous peoples,” said Zoe Mackoff de Miranda, director at MONOVA. “Coast Salish programming and Indigenous storytelling are integral to the work we do towards truth and reconciliation.” The recent gift is a renewal of previous funding the museum received from the bank in 2021. Since then, the museum...
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Ottawa set to miss 2026 deadline for establishing $10-a-day child care: report
By Alessia Passafiume Ottawa is expected to miss its 2026 deadline to implement $10-a-day child care services across the country, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives said in a new report published Wednesday. The analysis concluded that just six provinces and territories are meeting that fee target now. David Macdonald, an economist with the centre, said even though fees have dropped significantly everywhere, the federal government is unlikely to meet its self-imposed deadline. “It’s almost certain that even after the 2026 deadline passes, many parents in five provinces will be paying more than $10 a day for child care,” Macdonald said. “That being said, the fee drops for parents so far have been staggering in Ontario, Alberta and Nunavut, as these jurisdictions had let fees get far too high before...
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KTC offering more online career courses for members
By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council (KTC) members can take more online career and learning courses because of a new partnership. “The KTC Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program has partnered with Capacity Partners to deliver a powerful new library of online courses to support clients on their learning and career journeys,” says Teena Richards, Loon River First Nation ISETP education coordinator in a written response to questions from The Leader. “At the heart of this initiative is a new Learning Management System (LMS)—a user-friendly platform that brings all training materials together in one convenient place. Learners can easily access courses, track their progress, and work with their ISET coordinator to map out personalized learning pathways.” The LMS was built...
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First Nations call for Ontario environment minister’s resignation
By Liam Casey Several dozen First Nations in Ontario called for the resignation of the province’s environment minister Wednesday after he asked the federal government to not reintroduce a bill that would enshrine clean drinking water rights in law. Last month, Todd McCarthy and Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz wrote to federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin asking her to move away from legislation that they say would “delay project development and undermine competitiveness.” They singled out Bill C-61, legislation introduced in the last Parliament that sought to ensure First Nations have access to clean drinking water and can protect fresh water sources on their territories. The bill faced a lengthy committee process but was not passed into law before Parliament was prorogued earlier this year, and Dabrusin said last week...
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Duchesnay Elders’ Lodge strengthens community care
By David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, BayToday.ca Nipissing First Nation (NFN) has opened a new Elder’s Lodge in Duchesnay. The facility provides 10 assisted living units, and offers round-the-clock staffing, meal services, cleaning, with the possibility of personal care through Home and Community Care staff. In a release, NFN noted, “The new facility will provide much-needed assisted living units that allow NFN Elders to remain in their home community, surrounded by culture, family and familiar spaces.” Yvette Bellefeuille, a NFN councillor, emphasized, “This project has been decades in the making. The vision has evolved over the years, but the goal has always been the same – to keep our Elders close to home, in a space that reflects their culture and importance to our Nation.” Nipissing First Nation held...
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Report says all B.C. events should get risk review, in wake of festival tragedy
By Chuck Chiang Terry Yung says that when he attends Vancouver’s Chinatown Festival this weekend, he’ll enjoy himself knowing that the work has been done to make him and other attendees feel safe. British Columbia’s minister of state for community safety said pursuing that sense of security was “the foundation” of a report he released Wednesday making six recommendations on improving safety for community events in the wake of the April 26 attack on Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day festival, that killed 11 people and injured dozens more. Yung said the point of the report was “not to look at one moment in time in the past which we cannot change.” “I can’t speculate what could or could have happened but what we can do in future to make us all...
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Fort St. John first stop on UNBC summer sports camp tour
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A university’s themed sporting camps will take a road trip throughout July and August, with its first stop being Fort St. John. Prince George’s University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) will host camps throughout the remainder of summer in northern B.C. communities, including on July 14th and 15th at North Peace Secondary School. Other stops on the tour include Burns Lake, Smithers, Terrace and two First Nations communities: Gitlaxt’aamix, a Nisga’a community north of Terrace, and Yekooche First Nation northwest of Fort St. James. According to UNBC’s athletics and events coordinator Dorion Van Caeseele, the Fort St. John camp is unique. While other camps showcase basketball, the Fort St. John camp is soccer-exclusive. She added that plans...
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Family services society to host event for International Overdose Awareness Day
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — An Indigenous family services society is finalizing plans to bring awareness to those suffering from substance abuse. International Overdose Awareness Day takes place on August 31st and began in 2001, with the aim of raising understanding around drug use and lowering the stigma surrounding drug-related deaths while providing support for grieving families. First organized in Australia, it is now recognized in 40 countries around the globe. The Nenan Dane Zaa Deh Zona Family Services Society has said it is organizing an event to mark the day in Fort St John. For Hailey Testawitch, the topic is very personal. Testawitch, who works with Nenan Dane Zaa Deh Zona, is an organizer of an event scheduled to take place...
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Ford gutted Ontario’s environmental laws. Now he wants Ottawa to clear the last line of defence
By Abdul Matin Sarfraz Local Journalism Initiative Canada’s National Observer If the Bill 5 megaprojects proposed by Ontario Premier Doug Ford — like mining in the Ring of Fire or building Highway 413 — push federally listed species, such as the boreal caribou or redside dace, to the brink, only the federal Species at Risk Act still stands in the way. Now, Ford is demanding that Ottawa clear that last line of defence — and this time, he’s brought an ally: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Backed by Alberta, Ford’s government is calling on Ottawa to repeal some of Canada’s key environmental laws, which experts warn are now the only measure preventing species’ extinction, climate backsliding and unchecked industrial expansion. Both provinces want Ottawa to repeal the Impact Assessment Act, carbon-pricing...
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Six Nations Elected Council looking to shut down live streaming of council meetings
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is considering shutting down the live streaming of its meetings and holding in-person public sessions only to prevent non-Six Nations people access to SNEC data. Councillor Dean Hill, Chair of the Data Governance Committee, says while he wants to share information with members he only wants to do it in-person. “When we stream it live, anybody and everybody can watch, right?” Hill said. “We want to share the information with the community members, not necessarily the entire world.” Hill told SNEC’s July 8 council meeting he and the data committee are exploring new ways to share information with community members while protecting sensitive data including having in-person access to meetings only. He did not explain what the sensitive data was that...
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Nunavut premier prioritizes family in decision not to seek re-election in fall
By Jill Westerman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News In a ‘family-first’ decision, Nunavut’s Premier Pauloosie Jamesie (P.J.) Akeeagok will step away from politics during the upcoming fall election. The premier made the surprise announcement on his official government page July 8th, one day before the territory celebrates the 32nd year of Nunavut Day. “I am stepping away because this is the right moment to spend more time with my young family—time that public life often demands we set aside,” Akeeagok said in his detailed post addressed to the people of Nunavut. Born in Grise Fiord, Akeeagok attended Nunavut Sivuniksavut and then studied political science and Indigenous Studies at the University of Ottawa, where he met his wife Parniga. Prior to entering the political arena, he was the two-term president...
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Reflections, uncertainty: Nunavut premier plans life after politics
By Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News After announcing he won’t seek re-election on Oct. 27, Premier P.J. Akeeagok spent the rest of Tuesday taking phone calls, speaking with reporters, even greeting a group of visitors from Edmonton at the Nunavut legislative assembly. “It’s been a lot of reflection, actually, as I feel very content with the decision,” Akeeagok said in an interview, adding he decided “just in the past few days.” In a statement released Tuesday, Akeeagok said he wants to spend time with his family and he’s “not stepping away for another role.” MLAs picked him to be premier in 2021 after he won his first term as MLA for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu that year. Before entering territorial politics, Akeeagok was president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association for...
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Brantford Council allocates operating surplus for community improvements
By Kimberly De Jong, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brant Beacon City of Brantford Council allocated various funding from the 2024 Year End Operating Budget Surplus during the June Council meeting. With a total of $8,952,964 from the 2024 Year End Operating Budget Surplus, the City’s Finance Committee provided Council with a list of reserves and projects for the funds to be allocated towards including: $982,052 to the Corporate Contingency Reserve $365,704 to the John Noble Home Reserve $1,961,318 to the Hospital Redevelopment Reserve Fund $5,343,890 to the Tax Stabilization Reserve $100,000 for Civic Centre renovations and maintenance projects $200,000 for Arnold Anderson Stadium Washroom and Concession upgrades As well, it was recommended that funding in the amount of $515,000 to proceed with Robert Moore Park enhancements be allocated from the...
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Glenda Pard, Herman Many Guns vie for open seat on Piikani Nation council
By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Shootin’ the Breeze Piikani Nation has released the final list of candidates for its byelection, with two community members vying to fill a vacant seat on council. Herman Many Guns and Glenda Pard were both confirmed after a nomination meeting held June 26 at the community hall in Brocket. Many Guns was nominated by Waylon Yellowhorn and seconded by Trudy Crow Eagle, while Pard was nominated by Katiedel Pard and seconded by Mary Faye Small Legs. The byelection will be held July 22 to fill the seat left vacant after the resignation of Coun. Martin Iron Shirt took effect Dec. 31, 2024. The upcoming vote gives eligible members a chance to elect one councillor to help shape the direction of the First Nation...
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Ditidaht opens new visitor centre at Nitinaht Lake windsurf campground
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Nitinaht Lake, B.C. – Canada’s iconic West Coast Trail (WCT) on Vancouver Island just got even better with the grand opening of a new visitor centre at the Nitinaht Lake Campground. Brought to life by the Ditidaht Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the new building features an outdoor theatre area and indoor meeting space and will serve as a check-in centre/information hub for WCT hikers, Nitinaht Lake campers and folks staying at the Caycuse Cabins. “I’m really proud of what we’ve done today. It’s important for you guys to know that we are working for you all,” expressed Jack Thompson, president of the DEDC, to Ditidaht members during the July 4 unveiling. “It’s a new chapter. One thing (our Ancestors) talked about is...
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Yukon First Nation calls for accountability over mine disaster
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer A year after the catastrophic collapse at Yukon’s Eagle Gold Mine, a government-commissioned investigation confirms a series of technical failures — including unstable slopes, faulty drainage and construction mistakes which sent nearly two million tonnes of cyanide-laced ore into the valley and local waterways. For the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation, whose traditional territory surrounds the mine, the disaster only confirmed what they already knew. Chief Dawna Hope said the community raised concerns about the mine’s safety for years, but their warnings were not heeded. “Our lands and our way of life are constantly under tremendous threat, and our treaty partner is failing to take steps to protect our traditional territory,” Hope said. The collapse upended daily life in surrounding...
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Six Nations landowner learns his farmland was test site for experimental spray
Use of experimental spray gets farmer banned from Six Nations leased land By Tara Lindemann Writer A Six Nations landowner has barred a farmer and a sub-lessee from using his lands after learning a portion of his lands were being used as a test site for an experimental herbicide. Land owner John Curley said he is also considering legal action. “If my aunt hadn’t seen it, we wouldn’t have known it happened,” said Curley, The 66-acre field has four small ponds and marshy area. A stream runs off into the woods and connects with a neighbouring farm; it borders sweat lodges and backs onto several homes. Curley leased the property to Lonny King, of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation after being approached last September. “He wanted a three-year agreement,”...
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Six Nations to once again host Miss Indigenous Canada event
By Sam Laskaris Writer For the second straight year women from across the country will be converging in Six Nations vying for the title of Miss Indigenous Canada. This year’s event, which will feature 19 contestants, will be held from July 23-26. Entrants will participate in various workshops, listen to guest speakers and visit attractions in the area. And they will also compete in various events. But not traditional pageant events. Instead they will be judged on items including an essay they write, interview questions as well as a scrapbook they make and a cultural presentation featuring their home community. “We don’t have any sort of modelling categories,” said Aleria McKay, who is the committee head of the organizers. “They don’t have to go on stage in an evening gown...
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SEED program invests $6 million in Six Nations over 23 years
A 23-year agreement between Six Nations of the Grand River and Imperial Oil continues to support the community through targeted education and employment programming. At the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Council meeting on Monday, June 22, SEED Committee representatives provided an update on the longstanding partnership and outlined plans for the future. Rebecca Jamieson, president and CEO of Six Nations Polytechnic has served on the SEED Committee since its inception. She was joined by Imperial Oil representative Natasa Tennant to present the report. “The agreement was signed in 2002, and we recently did a bit of an update to extend it through to the end of 2029,” Jamieson said. She noted that the committee includes representation from Six Nations, Imperial Oil, the federal school system, Grand Erie District...
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