Federal firearm buyback program to open Monday, with March 31 deadline to register
By Jim Bronskill Owners of banned firearms will have until the end of March to declare interest in a federal program offering compensation for turning in or permanently deactivating their guns. The federal government says the declaration period for individuals will begin Monday and run through March 31. Since May 2020, Ottawa has outlawed about 2,500 types of guns, including the AR-15, on the basis they belong only on the battlefield. Public Safety Canada said Saturday that firearm licence holders will be notified of the declaration period and how to take part. “These are firearms designed for war, for killing people,” said Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. “They have no place in our communities.” The government says compensation will be determined primarily on a first-come, first-served basis. In the spring,...
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Fire engulfs First Nation school in northeastern B.C. near Fort St. John
By Wolfgang Depner RCMP are investigating a school fire on the territory of the Blueberry River First Nation in northern British Columbia. A statement from RCMP in Fort St. John says officers responded to the fire at around 6:30 a.m. MST Saturday. It says police and local fire crews found the school fully engulfed in flames when they got there. Police say there are no reported casualties at this time, adding there is no indication the fire was suspicious. But police also say the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP in Fort St. John. The First Nation is located about 80 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 17, 2026. ...
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Winter roads to First Nations under construction
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source WEBEQUIE — The winter road into Webequie is a bit late but should be ready soon, Coun. Randy Jacob said Friday. “Hopefully by the end of this month,” he said. He said the icy path to his Treaty 9 community is very important as a supply route for groceries, construction materials and much more. Indigenous Services Canada’s latest update on winter roads lists Webequie, Eabametoong and Nibinamik First Nations as having routes “under construction” while the winter road into Neskantaga is open to light loads. Indigenous Services Canada classifies light loads as passenger vehicles, said Karen Waite, the department’s manager of assets and northern roads in Ontario. The status of a separate road into Marten Falls is unknown, according to...
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Dan David, Mohawk journalist and Indigenous news trailblazer, dies at 73
Dan David (APTN Photo) Dan David, a renowned Mohawk journalist and the founder of Aboriginal Peoples Television Network’s news department, has died. His sister Marie David said he died Jan. 12 after a long struggle with cancer. He was 73. Karyn Pugliese, an APTN host and producer and David’s friend and colleague, said his death is a huge loss for the dozens of Indigenous journalists he mentored and whose careers he helped launch. “We call him the father of APTN News,” Pugliese said in an interview Sunday. “He was an icon. Dan David was Indigenous journalism in this country … He made a lot people really think about journalism.” Pugliese said David helped found APTN News in 2000 — then called InVision News — to transform the way Indigenous stories...
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Watchdog to investigate after New Brunswick RCMP fatally shoot man on FirstNation
By Aaron Sousa A police oversight agency is investigating after a man was shot and killed by the RCMP on a First Nation in northwestern New Brunswick. The Serious Incident Response Team, or SiRT, says it was contacted Sunday after the police-involved shooting on Neqotkuk, also known as Tobique First Nation, near the province’s border with Maine. Mounties issued an advisory on social media earlier Sunday regarding a police operation on the First Nation and asked people to avoid the area, but have not provided an update. A statement issued late Sunday from Neqotkuk First Nation Chief Ross Perley and council identified the deceased man as Bronson Paul and extended condolences to his family and friends. It says a sacred fire has been lit at a community hall on the...
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First Nation’s advice: ‘Be careful’ in the U.S.
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source EMO — Rainy River First Nations members are advised to “be careful” in their movements south of the Canada-U.S. border saying they’ve heard reports of Indigenous people being harassed and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A notice posted on social media advises members that they “have every right to travel and live (on) either side of the border.” But when in Minnesota, the notice continues, First Nation members should carry their Indian status card or Canadian passport with them at all times. Further, they are advised to contact Rainy River Chief Jim Leonard immediately if they run into trouble. “It has come to our attention that Status First Nations people are currently being targeted, assaulted and detained” by...
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Kahnawake council left in dark on Seaway dumping case
By Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eastern Door The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) was not alerted after the federal government laid charges against recycling company Terrapure and the city of Ste. Catherine, despite the alleged environmental infractions taking place within the bounds of the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis land grievance. “At the end of the day, for us, it’s in the Seigneury,” said MCK grand chief Cody Diabo. “We should be in these discussions.” On October 29, Terrapure, which recycles batteries and plastics, was handed 52 charges for alleged violations of the Fisheries Act at its nearby facility. The city of Ste. Catherine, meanwhile, received 38 charges for allegedly permitting the activities. In November, both parties pleaded not guilty. Three individuals are also being charged. Diabo...
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Inuit need greater say in ship routing, preparedness: Panelists
By Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Inuit need a greater say in mapping, ship routing, development and emergency preparedness as the Arctic prepares for an increase in traffic in the coming years, conference attendees in Iqaluit heard Wednesday. At the Ingiulik Nunavut Shipping Symposium, a panel titled Shipping, Sovereignty and Security brought together officials from Nunavut and Greenland to share their concerns and discuss opportunities. “The ship groundings that we saw this summer were definitely impactful to Inuit and will continue to be without participation and oversight,” said Hilu Tagoona, vice-president of engagement and partnerships with Oceans North, a marine conservation organization. In September, the Thamesborg — a 172-metre Dutch cargo ship — ran aground while traversing the Northwest Passage. It resumed its trip in October following...
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First Nations hockey player seeks long playoff run and post-secondary offer
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com Besides looking to finish his junior hockey career on a high note, Caleb Labelle is also spending time thinking about his academic and athletic futures. Labelle, a member of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, a First Nation in northern Ontario, is a defenceman with the Kam River Fighting Walleye. The Junior A club based in Thunder Bay, Ont. is one of seven entrants in the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL). This circuit features six franchises from northern Ontario and the Michigan-based Ironwood Lumberjacks. The Fighting Walleye are the defending SIJHL champions. And they participated this past May at the Centennial Cup, the national Junior A tournament. The Kam River squad managed to win one of its four round-robin matches at the Canadian tourney held...
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Manitoba First Nation urges province to address hotel space for evacuees
By Brittany Hobson The Canadian Red Cross says some evacuees from a northern Manitoba First Nation rocked by a severe water crisis won’t be displaced for a second time in as many weeks, as the community’s chief called on the province to do more to ensure they get priority in hotels. About 1,200 residents from Pimicikamak Cree Nation have been staying in Thompson, although it’s unclear how many are in the city’s hotels or have other accommodations. Chief David Monias had said he was concerned some would have to leave Thompson, due to a minor hockey tournament there this weekend. The Red Cross said Thursday that accommodations in Thompson have been secured for evacuees, although some may need to temporarily go to another location in the city depending on room...
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‘We need unity’: Bearspaw First Nation chief and council mark new term at inauguration ceremony
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook ÎYÂRHE NAKODA — With messages of unity and championing the younger generation ringing loud and clear, Bearspaw First Nation marked the start of a new term during the inauguration of the Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation band’s chief and council on Friday (Jan. 9). Serving the nation for his 25th accumulative term, Chief Darcy Dixon emphasized that working together alongside the two other Stoney Nakoda First Nations, Goodstoney and Chiniki, is key to moving forward. “We all share one piece of land, all our people, but as you can see, by working together over a number of years we were able to continue to support one another and make good things happen here in our communities of Big Horn, Morley,...
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YQK to YQT: 1st new Kenora-Thunder Bay flight completed
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — Passenger service between Kenora and Thunder Bay has returned. Kenora Airport CEO Shari Gentes was one of the six passengers on the first North Star Air flight between the two largest cities in Northwestern Ontario, which landed in Thunder Bay around 9:30 a.m. Thursday. The regional airline, which is partnered with 11 First Nations, announced the new service in December. “The flight was great,” Gentes said shortly after landing in Thunder Bay. “It’s roomy, it’s got lots of room for leg room, seatbelts — everything’s comfortable.” “Everybody gets their own window, everybody gets their own aisle — it was very nice.” North Star is using its Pilatus PC-12 aircraft for the service. Company president and chief operating officer Jeff...
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Future-facing projects given leg up in Northern Ontario
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal The minister of jobs and families and minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) announced total spending of up to $850,000 on 14 Indigenous economic development projects across the region. Patty Hajdu made the announcement in Thunder Bay and said the funding will support engagement, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing activities tied to critical minerals-related clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects. It is intended to create opportunities that respect traditional territories and strengthen local economies. She said the federal government, Indigenous peoples, local workers and businesses are building the infrastructure and partnerships required to secure a sustainable and sovereign Canada. “And it is a time where there’s a profound degree of anxiety. There are serious threats to our...
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Assault charge stayed against Inuit organization president Jeremy Tunraluk
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Crown prosecutor Stephanie Boydell told a justice of the peace on Jan. 15 that she was directing a stay of proceedings for an assault charge against Jeremy Tunraluk, who is on leave as president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the territory’s largest Inuit organization. That means the criminal case will not proceed against Tunraluk at this time, and he is a free man. Tunraluk was absent from the justice of the peace courtroom in Iqaluit on Thursday morning. Some initial confusion between his lawyer, Victoria Perrie, and Crown prosecutors was cleared up within the morning session of the court. Crown prosecutor Emma Baasch initially said the prosecution had not elected a lawyer to pursue the charge against Tunraluk and asked to...
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Improve internet, mobile service alongside new power lines: chief
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com BINGWI NEYAASHI — The chief of a First Nation on Lake Nipigon says he wants to see telecommunications upgrades done alongside a proposed power line. Bingwi Neyaashi Chief Paul Gladu raised the issue at a Jan. 14 press conference in Thunder Bay where Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu was announcing over $850,000 for 14 First Nations-led projects in B.C., Saskatchewan and Ontario. Seven of those are in Northwestern Ontario, including money for Bingwi Neyaashi, which received $50,000 towards community engagement work related to the proposed Greenstone transmission line upgrade. Gladu asked Hajdu if more reliable internet and cell service could come along with it. “We want to get away from Starlink, we want people to have good … network connections,” he...
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Stage four of Tewatohnhi’saktha’s Indigenous Initiatives Fund enters its final year
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Stage four of Tewatohnhi’saktha’s Indigenous Initiatives Fund (IIF IV) has entered its final year, but funding still available for interested applicants. Tammy Delaronde, Executive Director of Tewatohnhi’saktha, said the initiative aims to address systemic inequities in the financial sector by providing local entrepreneurs with access to start-up capital. “Each year, funds are allocated for economic development initiatives, and what we oversee is the entrepreneurship envelope,” Delaronde said. “So, it’s designated for for-profit businesses.” IIF IV has been funded through the provincial government’s Indigenous Initiatives Fund, formerly known as the Aboriginal Initiatives Fund, since 2008. According to Delaronde, two major projects in the community have received funding in this phase, which began in 2022. “It typically goes in five-year increments, and they make...
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Quebec premier stepping down ahead of provincial election
By Dominique Gené, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Quebec Premier François Legault is stepping down, just months ahead of the provincial election. Legault — who co-founded the Coalition Avenir Québec party in 2011 before leading it to power with election wins in 2018 and again in 2022 — made the surprise announcement Wednesday morning during a news conference in Quebec City. “I see that currently many Quebecers want change first and foremost, and then a change of premier,” he said in French in his resignation speech. Currently, Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec has a majority government with 79 of the 125 seats in Quebec’s national assembly, including Denis Lamothe, who represents the Ungava riding which includes Nunavik. A former police officer in Nunavik, Lamothe was first elected in 2018 then...
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‘Staggering’ disparity as Indigenous adults overrepresented in prisons by 10 times
By Brieanna Charlebois A new report by Statistics Canada says Indigenous adults were incarcerated at a rate 10 times higher than non-Indigenous adults in six provinces, a disparity that justice advocates called staggering, and a roadblock to reconciliation. The agency’s new measure, called the overrepresentation index, was used to make the finding for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in British Columbia, P.E.I., Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta in 2023/2024. Indigenous legal experts and advocates were not shocked by the findings, but say it shines a light on systemic issues that persist after centuries of colonization. “The numbers in this report are staggering, but not surprising,” Kory Wilson, chair of the BC First Nations Justice Council, said in a statement Wednesday. “Indigenous people are not inherently more criminal —...
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7 First Nations receive minerals infrastructure money
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — The chief of Bingwi Neyaashi says an upgraded power transmission line can’t come soon enough. Paul Gladu’s community, also known as Sand Point First Nation, was one of seven First Nations in Northwestern Ontario to receive a total of $350,000 from the federal critical minerals infrastructure fund. Six of the communities, including Bingwi Neyaashi, Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan, Aroland, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging, Ginoogaming and Red Rock Indian Band each received $50,000 for engagement studies to inform ongoing work to upgrade hydro lines that would run from existing 230 kV infrastructure near Nipigon though Greenstone to points north. “We have a line … coming from Rocky Bay and we’d have a power outage at times, two or three times every couple of months,”...
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Indigenous adults overrepresented in prisons by 10 times, Statistics Canada says
A newly released report by Statistics Canada says Indigenous adults were incarcerated at a rate 10 times higher than non-Indigenous adults in six provinces. It says its new measure, called the overrepresentation index, was used to make the finding for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in British Columbia, P.E.I., Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta in 2023/2024. The report says Indigenous people made up 33.2 per cent of the custodial population in those provinces despite only making up 4.3 per cent of the overall adult population of those regions. Indigenous adults were incarcerated at a rate of 89 per 10,000 population on an average day, compared with eight per 10,000 among non-Indigenous adults. It also notes 2.6 per cent of the Indigenous adult population was incarcerated at some point...
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