Arctic Bay conservation centre to get solar pannels
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News The Nauttiqsuqtiit Conservation Centre in Arctic Bay will be powered by solar panels, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) stated in a news release on Monday. QIA is using $594,900 from Natural Resources Canada to attach 96 solar panels to the building. Inuit-owned Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation is contracted to install the system, which is expected to produce 38,000 kilowatt-hours per year. “Clean energy projects such as this one protect the environment, strengthen local skills and create benefits for communities,” QIA President Olayuk Akesuk said. Local training and employment opportunities will be available throughout the installation, according to the press release. Arctic Bay’s Nauttiqsuqtiit Conservation Centre is among five centres that the QIA is developing, with the others being in Clyde River,...
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Ottawa asks court to overturn tribunal order on First Nations child welfare
By Alessia Passafiume Ottawa is asking the Federal Court to overturn a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal order directing it to work with First Nations to reform the child welfare system, and for a new panel to be struck to decide on next steps in a nearly two-decade-long legal battle. In its application, the federal government called the tribunal’s actions “unreasonable,” accused it of failing to consider evidence and submissions and said it “breached natural justice and the duty of fairness.” The tribunal order, released in August, came nine years after the tribunal concluded that the federal government had discriminated against First Nations children by underfunding the on-reserve child welfare system, following a joint 2007 human rights complaint filed by the Assembly of First Nations and the Caring Society. Progress on...
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Blueberry River First Nations launches campaign to educate public about provincial agreement
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca BUICK, B.C. — Blueberry River First Nations (BRFN) is offering a chance for the general public to know more about its agreement with the provincial government back in 2023. According to a press release, the campaign, entitled ‘Where Happiness Dwells,’ is designed to provide more information about the Implementation Agreement, which includes videos, a timeline and frequently asked questions. In 2021, the province’s Supreme Court determined B.C.’s government had infringed on BRFN’s Treaty 8 rights by failing to account for the cumulative impacts of issuing permits for development on the Nations’ territory. The court directed both parties to work on a path forward that would look at cumulative effects and respect BRFN’s rights. The Implementation Agreement was signed in January 2023. BRFN...
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Six Nations elected council accused of disrespect and undermining Haudenosaunee Confederacy Council
By Lynda Powless Editor SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- It’s an invitation that came back to bite them. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) invited the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Council (HCCC) to a joint meeting to discuss community issues but may be surprised at getting back both a political and historical lesson. The March 2025 SNEC invitation called for the two to meet because “There is a history with HCCC and SNGREC (Six Nations Grand River Elected Council) working together for the benefit of our community.” The letter from Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn-Hill went on to cite a “partnership” she claimed existed between the two bodies during the controversial 2006 Douglas Creek Estates negotiations. In 2006 Six Nations community members re-took un-surrendered Six Nations lands on the outskirts of the town of...
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Six Nations business robbed, police seeking public’s help
OHSWEKEN, ON- Six Nations Police are seeking the public’s help after an armed robbery at a local business saw cash and merchandise stolen. Six Nations Police (SNP) were told four suspects entered an Indian Line Road business Friday, September 19th, at about 9:45 p.m. brandishing firearms. Witnesses told police the four suspects entered the business at about 9:45 PM with two of the suspects carrying firearms. No injuries were reported to police. Police said the suspect s made off with merchandise and an undetermined amount of cash. The suspects are believed to have left the area in a 4-door grey BMW type sedan. Police said they were headed towards Cockshutt Road. Anyone with information about the incident, or who may have relevant doorbell, surveillance or dashcam video, are asked to...
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Judge dismisses Acho Dene Koe First Nation’s claim against Paramount Resources
By Eric Bowling, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North A judge has thrown out a case involving an NWT First Nation and an oil and gas company. NWT Supreme Court justice Annie Piche handed down her verdict on Sept. 12, finding that Acho Dene Koe First Nation (ADK) in Fort Liard did not file its claim within a six-year window and that Paramount Resources Ltd. had fulfilled its obligations under the contract. “The plaintiff, ADK… [alleged] breach of contract, arguing that Paramount failed to comply with a term of the Community Investment Plan (CIP) agreement when it ceased to make annual payments of $100,000 in 2008,” Piche wrote in her decision. “I find that ADK is not entitled to damages for breach of contract because it did not bring this...
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First Gwich’in Language Symposium wraps up near Inuvik
By Eric Bowling, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North Efforts to preserve and revitalize the Gwich’in language have been underway for many years, but for the first time, representatives from across the North have gathered for a nationwide language summit. The Gwich’in Nation Language Symposium kicked off June 24 and ran until June 29, though some guests did not return home until after Canada Day. The event was held at the Gwich’in Wellness Camp — historically known as the Rachel Reindeer Wellness Camp — which features a high-end kitchen as well as numerous camping facilities. “This is the first nationwide symposium which brings people together from Alaska, Yukon and NWT on language,” said Gwich’in Council International (GCI) executive director Devlin Fernandes. “There have been past Gwich’in language gatherings but they...
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The Latest: Federal judge tosses Trump’s $15B defamation lawsuit against The New York Times
A federal judge in Florida on Friday tossed President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. The lawsuit named a book and an article written by Times reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig that focuses on Trump’s finances and his pre-presidency starring role in television’s “The Apprentice.” Trump said in the lawsuit that they “maliciously peddled the fact-free narrative” that television producer Mark Burnett turned Trump into a celebrity — “even though at and prior to the time of publications defendants knew that President Trump was already a mega-celebrity and an enormous success in business.” The Latest: Trump predicts ‘closed country’ as Congress veers toward shutdown The president said Friday that the country could end up “closed” for a “period of time” as lawmakers struggle to...
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Nations ratify the world’s first treaty to protect international waters
By Annika Hammerschlag SEATTLE (AP) — A major agreement to protect marine diversity in the high seas was struck Friday when Morocco became the 60th nation to sign on, paving the way for the treaty to take effect next year. The High Seas Treaty is the first legal framework aimed at protecting biodiversity in international waters, those that lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single country. International waters account for nearly two-thirds of the ocean and nearly half of Earth’s surface and are vulnerable to threats including overfishing, climate change and deep-sea mining. “The high seas are the world’s largest crime scene — they’re unmanaged, unenforced, and a regulatory legal structure is absolutely necessary,” said Johan Bergenas, senior vice president of oceans at the World Wildlife Fund. Still, the pact’s...
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Hudson’s Bay seeks approval to auction off 1670 charter, court filings show
By Tara Deschamps Hudson’s Bay wants to revert to its original plan to auction off its founding charter after more parties signalled interest in buying — then donating — the 1670 document, new court documents say. The Ontario Superior Court had been due to hear a motion earlier this month approving the sale of the artifact to the Weston family of grocer Loblaw Cos. Ltd. fame. Their holding company Wittington Investments Ltd. offered $12.5 million for the charter and planned to donate it to the Canadian Museum of History. The hearing was adjourned after DKRT Family Corp, a holding company owned by David Thomson, objected to the Weston sale. The firm acting on behalf of the billionaire chairman of Thomson Reuters was willing to spend at least $15 million on...
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A conversation with Miss Earth Canada: Hailey Hamelin-Wilson
By Deena Goodrunning, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News Hailey Hamelin-Wilson from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation is the first ever Indigenous Canadian woman to hold the title of Miss Earth Canada! Last summer in 2024, Hailey traveled to Toronto to compete in the Pageant Group Canada pageant that determines the Canadian representatives for international pageants such as Miss World, Miss Supranational, Miss Earth, Miss Grand International and Miss Intercontinental. Many contestants from all over Canada came to compete for a pageant title, and Hailey was successful in winning a coveted crown and a prestigious title. Initially, Hailey was interested in competing for the title of Miss World Canada, but in an interview last month with ANNews, she shared that after arriving at the pageant she found that she was...
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Humpback whale dead after ferry crew reports collision off B.C. coast
A humpback whale has been found dead off the British Columbia coast after a ferry crew reported a collision. BC Ferries says in a statement that the crew of the Northern Expedition reported hitting a whale on Wednesday in Wright Sound near Prince Rupert, B.C. The statement says BC Ferries immediately reported the collision to federal authorities, the local First Nations and researchers, who then found a dead whale in the vicinity around 10:30 a.m. Thursday. BC Ferries says Fisheries and Oceans Canada is going to co-ordinate a necropsy to find out the whale died. The 151-metre Northern Expedition was built in 2009 and has a capacity of 638 people and 115 cars. The vessel is used to service BC Ferries’ northern routes involving open seas, including the service between...
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MMF looks to build housing in Brandon area: Goodon
By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brandon Sun Manitoba Métis Federation Housing Minister Will Goodon wants to build housing units in the Brandon area during the next two years — and one of his aims is to help meet the MMF’s economic reconciliation goals. The MMF has been exploring properties in the area and speaking with developers as it looks to invest, Goodon told the Sun on Thursday following his keynote speech at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Goodon’s speech focused on integrating Métis people into the local economy. “That’s what this economic reconciliation is all about. We need to work together,” Goodon said. “We need to have those continued partnerships, not just one-offs.” The minister said he is aiming for roughly between 30 and 40 housing units...
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Yukon salmon data should be more centralized, argues researcher
By Talar Stockton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yukon News Salmon populations aren’t being monitored as much as they were in the past, according to a recent study from a non-profit out of British Columbia. The report, entitled “Monitoring for fisheries or for fish? Declines in monitoring of salmon spawners continue despite a conservation crisis,” was published on Sept. 10 in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. The Pacific Salmon Foundation found that there’s been a decline in the monitoring of spawning salmon since the 1986 across British Columbia and the Yukon. The study said there was an average decline of 41 monitored populations per year. However, the Yukon-specific context is unique. “There is sort of a combination of reduced monitoring in some places, but also poor reporting of...
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Haldimand OPP find individual involved in “Swatting” incidents. says young person was threatened
HALDIMAND COUNTY -Haldimand County OPP say a young individual involved in the recent swatting incidents in Haldimand County has been identified and found to have been forced to make the calls. The Haldimand detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded from September 2, 2025, to September 4, 2025, to several “swatting” incidents – hoax emergency calls designed to draw police to a location under false pretenses. OPP sid a local individual under the age of 18 has been identified as being involved, and investigators found the young person was being victimized with threats and coerced into participating in these incidents. OPP said during the investigation, police uncovered the involvement of an emerging online group known as the “764” or “The Com”. This movement is made up largely of youth...
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Nations ratify the world’s first treaty to protect international waters
By Annika Hammerschlag SEATTLE (AP) — A major agreement to protect marine diversity in the high seas was struck Friday when Morocco became the 60th nation to sign on, paving the way for the treaty to take effect next year. The High Seas Treaty is the first legal framework aimed at protecting biodiversity in international waters, those that lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single country. International waters account for nearly two-thirds of the ocean and nearly half of Earth’s surface and are vulnerable to threats including overfishing, climate change and deep-sea mining. “The high seas are the world’s largest crime scene — they’re unmanaged, unenforced, and a regulatory legal structure is absolutely necessary,” said Johan Bergenas, senior vice president of oceans at the World Wildlife Fund. Still, the pact’s...
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GRCA warns lower water conditions
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) issued a notice, Friday, to residents in Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, a portion of Brant County next door to Scotland, Oakland, Haldimand County south of Caledonia and northeastern Norfolk County, warning dry conditions have created low water conditions and asking them to lower their consumption by 20 per cent. The GRCA said the McKenzie Creek, Whitemans Creek and Lower Nith sub-watersheds were all in an area with a Level 2 low water condition. The GRCA declares a Level 2 condition when flows drop to less than 50 per cent their normal level. The GRCA called on residents to limit outdoor water use, even if they had a private water supply....
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Six Nations police rush to help suicidal teen. The call was a hoax
By J.P. Antonacci, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator The emergency dispatcher believed they were talking to a Six Nations youth about to take their own life. Officers with Six Nations Police burst into the house to prevent the youth from self-harming. But it was all a hoax. “Upon entry, police discovered that the caller who reported the emergency was impersonating the youth located at the residence, who was not in a crisis,” Six Nations Police Const. Jamie Smith said in a media release on Friday. The fraudulent emergency call was one recent local example of “swatting,” where a fake emergency brings police and other first responders to a house full of confused residents. The hoax suicide call on Six Nations took place Sept. 1, police say. The next...
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‘An important step forward’: First Nations health authority, family services org. sign new agreement
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com LAC SEUL — A new agreement between the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority and Tikinagan Child and Family Services promises better support for families and communities, officials say. The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding during the health authority’s annual general meeting in September in Lac Seul First Nation. They will “co-develop strategies and joint initiatives to support healing from intergenerational trauma, address mental health and addictions, and strengthen families and communities in the Kiiwetinoong region,” said a media release issued by the health authority. “It’s an important step forward, I think, in terms of getting the synergies between our organizations together and looking at ways that we can collaborate for service delivery and share information and best practices,” Brian...
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‘Draw the Line’ rallies across Canada challenge elements of Carney’s agenda
By Daniel Johnson and Cassidy McMackon TORONTO, ONT-Canadians in several major cities demonstrated Saturday against elements of the Liberal government’s agenda, including Prime Minister Mark Carney’s support for new fossil fuel projects and expected public service cuts. Hundreds who took part in “Draw the Line” protests in Toronto marched from downtown to the provincial legislature building, carrying signs that included messages advocating full immigration status for all, ending trade with Israel, Indigenous rights and a revolution against billionaires. Some signs featured images of Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan in December. Speakers prior to the march included environmentalist David Suzuki, Grassy Narrows First Nation member Chrissy Isaacs, and others. Syed Hussan, executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, accused Carney’s...
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