Wildfire burning near Lytton, B.C, grows to 245 hectares
The only blaze of note identified by the BC Wildfire Service continued to grow Sunday. The Izman Creek wildfire near Lytton was burning 245 hectares as of Sunday, and the danger remains, as this latest blaze comes just over four years after a wildfire destroyed much of Lytton. Lytton is located in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, which has an evacuation alert in effect for some properties under its jurisdiction due to the Izman Creek wildfire. The regional district also lifted an evacuation alert Friday that had been in effect for properties threatened by the Mount Scatchard wildfire, west of the town of Chase, B.C. An evacuation order from the Neskonlith Indian Band for about 40 properties was downgraded to an alert last week for the Mount Scatchard blaze. There were...
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Treaty 8 association to create ‘Our Story, Our Wall’ mural on wall targeted by racist graffiti
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The association representing First Nations communities in northeast B.C. is finalizing plans to create a mural on a wall that was targeted by racist vandalism. The Treaty 8 Tribal Association posted to Facebook on June 30th announcing the artwork, entitled ‘Our Mural, Our Story,’ will be painted on its office’s south wall. The wall was the target of swastikas and bigoted messages in February, with mayor Lilia Hansen and provincial Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Christine Boyle offering messages denouncing hate and racism. Treaty 8 executive director Marlene Roy told Energeticcity.ca at the time that “people stay silent” in the face of hatred because racism is “so accepted.” However, Roy said on July 3rd community organizations...
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Indigenous explainers: What is a smudging ceremony?
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — It is a typical mid-week summer evening in Fort St. John’s downtown core as a group of women file into the Fort St. John Friendship Society to learn and embrace healing in an Indigenous way.. Energeticcity.ca is attending the event as part of a series of articles to celebrate First Nations’ communities, look at traditional practices and appreciate Indigenous culture and history. Smudging is a ceremonial tradition of burning medicinal plants in an effort to cleanse oneself of negative energies in an effort to bring those participating closer to the creator. The workshop was held at the Friendship Society on Thursday, June 26th with 16 participants, and was hosted by Brandi Kennedy of the Friendship Centre and...
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Judge reserves decision after three days of Moccasin Flats hearings
By Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince George Citizen A BC Supreme Court judge reserved decision Friday, July 4 in City of Prince George’s third bid to clear a homeless camp out of Moccasin Flats. After not succeeding in 2021 and 2022, the city is seeking an injunction to regain control of the land and refuse anyone the right to camp on the city-owned property if they refuse to apply to or receive an offer from BC Housing for suitable housing with daytime activities. Justice Bruce Elwood heard arguments for much of the previous two days from lawyers for the campers. They said the city has insufficient suitable or accessible housing available for their seven clients and should not have made the court application until it did. The city...
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Archeological dig on Lil’wat territory uncovers ancient histories and reframes research relationships
By Luke Faulks, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Pique Newsmagazine Near the Bailey Bridge, about 10 minutes up the road from Mount Currie, archeologists and Lil’wat Nation community members are reshaping what collaborative research can look like. For nearly two decades, Douglas College anthropology instructor Bill Angelbeck has worked alongside the Nation to investigate ancient village sites, often focusing on winter homes known as s7ístken (pronounced “ishkin”)—underground dwellings or “pit houses” traditionally used during winter. Angelbeck and a team of students and volunteer archeologists have just completed a three-week dig as part of a multi-year project that’s working to use archeology and oral history in tandem to create a unified narrative for the Nation. “We called it ‘interweaving narratives,’” Angelbeck explained to Pique. “I see science as producing narratives just with...
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‘I’m not going anywhere’: provincial Indigenous affairs minister rejects calls to resign
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com TORONTO — Ontario’s Indigenous affairs minister says he has no plans to hand over his cabinet portfolios. “I’m not going anywhere,” Greg Rickford said in an interview with Dougall Media after a community event the Kenora-Rainy River MPP held in Ignace on Thursday. Aside from the Indigenous affairs position, Rickford is also Ontario’s Minister of First Nations Economic Reconciliation, and the one responsible for Ring of Fire economic and community partnerships. “I love working with First Nations leadership, I love helping to build bridges between First Nations communities and municipalities,” Rickford continued. “I think what you’ve seen is First Nations leadership come out and be very supportive of the work our government’s doing and very supportive of the work that I’m doing.”...
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Minister planning to table First Nations water bill despite provincial opposition
By Alessia Passafiume The federal minister of Indigenous services says her government plans to reintroduce legislation to ensure First Nations’ rights to clean drinking water — despite calls from Alberta and Ontario for it to scrap the bill altogether. Two provincial environment ministers sent a letter to their federal counterpart this week calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to abandon legislation they see as undermining competitiveness and delaying project development. “Prime Minister Mark Carney has made a commitment to do things differently,” Alberta’s Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz and her Ontario counterpart Todd McCarthy wrote in a June 30 letter to federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin. “We are hopeful that this new federal government will move away from policies and legislation that undermine competitiveness, delay project development and disproportionately harm...
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Iqaluit songwriter’s entry wins 2025 Qilaut contest
By Arty Sarkisian, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Iqaluit performer Tooma Laisa has won the 2025 Qilaut Inuktut songwriting contest for her song Attananngittumi. Iqaluit’s Kristy Kanayuk was awarded second place for Iqqaumavit Ivvi Inuusinganit and Leetia Kalluk from Arctic Bay placed third with Nattirasugiaq, the Department of Culture and Heritage announced this week. The contest, in its 10th year, celebrates Nunavut’s Inuktut music scene and aims to promote use of the language, a department news release said. The themes this year were Piruqsatillunga and Inuit Sanasimajangit, which translate as “when I was growing up” and “Inuit creations.” Thirty-one submissions were judged on their originality, creativity, melody and lyrics. The top three winners receive $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500, respectively, and the seven other entries each receive $500. The other...
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Nunavut’s former top cop retires from RCMP, joins GN
By Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Andrew Blackadar has retired as Nunavut RCMP’s commanding officer to take a new job with the territorial government. Blackadar, 58, says he’s proud of the work the RCMP did to improve relations with communities across the territory during his three-year tenure. He started as head of Nunavut RCMP in July 2022 and his final day was June 4, marking an end to his 35-year policing career. “It was time to retire,” Blackadar said in an interview. Leading the service’s Nunavut division is “probably one of the most challenging positions in the RCMP,” he said, pointing first to the territory’s vastness. Another challenge is addressing its “cultural sensitivities.” Blackadar, who retires with the rank of chief superintendent, said he was proud to...
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Banff students’ G7 song reaches global audience, Carney sends signed letter
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook BANFF – An original song created by Banff Elementary School (BES) students and dedicated to G7 Summit leaders has caught the eye of Prime Minister Mark Carney. Written and produced alongside Banff’s poet laureate, Heather Jean Jordan, A Single Seed brings together the voices of more than 300 students as they share their hopes and concerns for the future. Following the June 15 -17 summit held in Kananaskis Country, BES received an unexpected letter from the prime minister’s office. “ It was funny, the administrative assistant who received it kind of jokingly said to the principal and staff, ‘Oh, are you guys expecting anything from the prime minister’s office?’ …. and then they opened it up and [were] quite surprised,” said...
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Stranded man plucked off cliff amid B.C. wildfire lands in jail
By Nono Shen There’s been an unusual addition to a wildfire fight in steep terrain burning near Hope, B.C. RCMP say their officers arrived to help other first responders on Thursday as the fire burned on the side of a mountain when they heard a man yelling for help. Once the fire was contained in the area, police say search and rescue crews found a 27-year-old man stranded on the face of a cliff. The man was taken out by a helicopter long line and wasn’t hurt, but it turns out there were several warrants out for his arrest and he was taken into custody. The BC Wildfire Service says in an update on Friday that the fire was discovered Wednesday near the popular Serpent’s Back hiking trail and is...
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B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad faces criticism from several sides amid review
By Wolfgang Depner Dave Sharkey still remembers how he felt about the future of the Conservative Party of B.C. when he was part of the delegation that marched in the 2022 Aldergrove Christmas Light Up Parade. “There were only four of us,” Sharkey said. “Two of us were holding the banner, and the other two were handing out candy canes. But the reception was actually surprisingly positive, and it was a kind of experience that led me to believe that in terms of our political ambitions, we were on the right track.” Sharkey, a party member since 2017 and a former provincial candidate for the Libertarian Party, now sees Conservatives on the wrong track. His conclusion comes despite the B.C. Conservatives coming within a whisker of forming government in October...
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Kinew says cabinet minister who complained about sign language interpreter will stay
By Steve Lambert Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is standing by a cabinet minister who complained about sharing a stage with a sign language interpreter. Nahanni Fontaine has apologized for her remarks and will stay on as the minister responsible for services for people with disabilities, Kinew told reporters Friday. “I totally understand where people are coming from,” Kinew said, referring to criticism of Fontaine’s remarks. “At the same time, I think our minister has apologized and is putting in the work with the community, so it’s with the greatest of humility that I want to ask folks in the Deaf community to keep working with her.” Kinew did not specify what steps Fontaine is taking other than meeting with people in the community. The controversy erupted last week after Fontaine...
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‘Time is now’ for hydro connection to Nunavut: Inuit association president
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News A proposed hydroelectric fibre link from Manitoba’s power grid to five communities and two mines in Nunavut’s Kivalliq region should be part of the national infrastructure strategy, according to an Inuit leader. But the federal government has been keeping the project on the back burner for at least four years, Kono Tattuinee, the president of the Kivalliq Inuit Association, told an audience at the Nunavut Arctic Security and Sovereignty Summit in Iqaluit on June 26. Tattuinee said that transitioning off 60-year-old diesel generators is a priority for the region. “We’ve done our best to work with different departments. We tried to get our foot in the door of the finance minister’s office, but we were half in and half out...
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Devon ‘Toasty Garlic Bread’ Felker elected chief of West Point FirstNation
By Eric Bowling, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North Devon Felker was as surprised as anyone to find out he was elected chief of West Point First Nation. At age 26, the emerging leader said news of his victory is still sinking in. “It blows my mind,” he said. “I’m still trying to process everything right now. I didn’t find out until 7 [p.m.] and I was showing my girlfriend a video game she wanted to play, so I didn’t really process any of it.” The significance dawned on him the following morning. “But then I woke up and saw all the posts. I can definitely feel the weight on my shoulders now,” he admitted. After polls closed on July 3, Felker prevailed with 25 votes out 45 votes cast...
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Rally opposes nuclear waste in Northwest
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Members of Grassy Narrows First Nation and Fort William First Nation led a group of protesters from neighbouring communities in a rally against the transportation and disposal of Canada’s nuclear waste in Northwestern Ontario. First Nation leaders, labour leaders, environmentalists and faith groups turned out at Waverley Park in Thunder Bay on Friday afternoon and spoke out about their concerns of what they call a ‘dangerous plan’ to bury nuclear waste near Indigenous lands and waterways. The group continued with a march to Marina Park’s Spirit Garden. Vince Ponka, the regional communications manager with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), said to date, both Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace have agreed to move into the current regulatory...
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First Nation seeking court ruling on Alberta ending coal mining moratorium
By Jack Farrell An Alberta First Nation is asking a judge to review the provincial government’s decision earlier this year to end its moratorium on coal mining. In an application for judicial review filed this week in the Court of King’s Bench in Calgary, Siksika Nation says Alberta failed in its duty to consult when in January it lifted its moratorium on new coal mining projects on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. The 2021 moratorium, which Alberta is being sued for implementing by a handful of coal companies seeking billions in damages, was issued in response to public outcry after the province lifted its long-standing coal mining policy the year before. The province announced in December that it had nearly finalized a new coal policy, based in part...
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Manitoba cabinet minister apologizes for complaints about sign-language interpreter
By Steve Lambert The Manitoba cabinet minister responsible for services for people with disabilities is apologizing for comments she made about a sign-language interpreter. Nahanni Fontaine hosted a celebration for Indigenous women graduates Thursday in Winnipeg, and had a sign-language interpreter on stage with her during her speech. Afterward, while preparing to speak to reporters, Fontaine told one of her staff that she was thrown off by the woman’s presence and that the woman should not have been on stage. The comments were captured and reported on by APTN, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. The Opposition Progressive Conservatives called for Fontaine to apologize and said she should be removed as minister responsible for accessibility. Fontaine has issued a statement in which she apologizes and says she was worried about not...
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Fire safety game adapted into app
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Children and their families living in northern communities can be smarter and safer when it comes to fire safety, thanks to a new app being developed by a former firefighter. Shane Ferguson, a fire safety and firefighter training specialist with his company, Staying Alive Fire Safety, has developed an app to help Indigenous children and youths learn about fire safety practices that could save their lives and the lives of their families. The app is based on Ferguson’s original award-winning The Great Escape Game that he created in the late 1990s after pulling a child from under a bed in a burning home. The child later died from smoke inhalation. The game, which was accessed on a CD, was released in...
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Ontario First Nation slowed down traffic on Trans-Canada Highway over mining laws
By Liam Casey A northern Ontario First Nation has completed a four-day demonstration that slowed down traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway, as it protests fast-tracked federal and provincial legislation designed to speed up mining and development. Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg Chief Louis Kwissiwa says they demonstrated alongside Highway 17 to show their disapproval of the federal Bill C-5 and the provincial Bill 5. The federal legislation that passed recently is designed to speed up major projects deemed to be in the “national interest.” A provincial law goes further and gives cabinet the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws in so-called special economic zones in order to speed up projects such as mines. Both levels of government want to mine the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region but the new laws have sparked...
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