B.C. reports offer ‘road map’ for repatriation of Indigenous items, remains
By Ashley Joannou A pair of reports out of British Columbia are detailing the complex, expensive and under resourced process of repatriating Indigenous historical items or remains back to their homes. The studies, developed in partnership between the First Peoples’ Cultural Council and K’yuu Enterprise Corporation, call for changes including the creation of a centralized body to facilitate the work, a repatriation accreditation program for museums and other institutions, and “substantial” funding and support from the provincial and federal government. Gretchen Fox, an anthropologist and the council’s acting heritage manager, said the growing interest in the moral and ethical requirement for repatriation shows resources are needed to set out steps that could be used in B.C. and in other provinces and territories. “There was a need for a way forward,...
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Wildfire near Lytton, B.C., prompts local state of emergency, evacuation order
By Brieanna Charlebois The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has declared a local state of emergency for the Blue Sky Country region due to an encroaching out-of-control wildfire near Lytton, B.C. It has also issued an evacuation order for two properties on Spencer Road South as the blaze poses “immediate danger to life.” The BC Wildfire Service says the Nikaia Creek wildfire is about six hectares in size and is one of more than 70 wildfires burning across the province. It says crews, supported by firefighters from Lytton First Nation, made “good progress” overnight and they are now focused on the north and south flanks of the blaze. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District also issued an evacuation alert Monday night for nine properties in the Harper Lake area near Chase, B.C., due to...
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Carney says values being tested by attacks on democracy in Canada Day speech
By Alessia Passafiume and Dylan Robertson Canadians took to parks and civic squares across the country Tuesday to show unity on Canada Day, amid American threats, economic uncertainty and Western alienation. “We’ve decided not to pull apart and fight, but to come together and to build. Because that’s the Canadian way,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said to thousands of Canadians gathered in Ottawa. This year’s festivities at Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats Park got the royal treatment, with Prince Edward praising Canada’s unity and accomplishments. “Seeing this sea of red and white, there is only one sense that I have here,” the Duke of Edinburgh said. “Today is truly a celebration of you, and your home and your land, strong and free.” Leaders gave speeches interlaced with musical performances, Indigenous cultural demonstrations...
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Family of Sudbury murder victim wants ‘justice’ not ‘vengeance’
By Hugh Kruzel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Sudbury Star Note: Aspects of this story might be disturbing to some readers. Felicity Altiman didn’t just viciously stab Robert Keskinen to death, she sought to ‘degrade, disfigure and dehumanize’ him, a Crown prosecutor told the killer’s sentencing hearing. Now 44, Altiman was convicted of second-degree murder last year. She received an automatic life sentence of 25 years; Justice R. Dan Cornell must now decide when Altiman becomes eligible for parole. Arriving in leg and arm restraints, Altiman sat quietly on Monday, through impact statements made by Edward Arnold Keskinen – older brother to the victim – and cousin Richard Allan Keller. Keller recounted how the victim was “kind, considerate and well respected.” He called the murder in a Kathleen Street apartment...
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Alberta byelection called for Aug. 18, giving Poilievre path back to House of Commons
By Sarah Ritchie Pierre Poilievre has chosen one of the safest possible places to make his return to the House of Commons — but the rural Alberta riding he’s hoping to win in an August byelection could also be dangerous territory for the Conservative leader. Damien Kurek resigned his seat in Battle River—Crowfoot earlier this month after winning more than 82 per cent support in the April 28 election. Prime Minister Mark Carney has set Aug. 18 as the date for the byelection to choose Kurek’s replacement. In an emailed statement, Poilievre said it would be an “honour” to represent the riding and he plans to continue “fighting for oil and gas, low taxes, free enterprise, a strong defence and respect for the West.” “The farmers, energy workers and soldiers...
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Amid calls for separation, Alberta’s new referendum rules set to formally take effect
By Lisa Johnson As Canada prepares Tuesday to blow out 158 birthday candles, Alberta plans three days later to formalize rules making it easier to have an independence celebration of its own. Beginning Friday, Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government is officially lowering the required threshold for citizens to initiate a provincewide referendum, including on separation. Mitch Sylvestre, CEO of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a non-profit group touring Alberta promoting independence, says he plans to apply to Elections Alberta that same day to start a petition under the new rules. The group aims to gather 177,000 signatures within 120 days to put the question on a ballot to voters: Do you agree the province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province of Canada? “I...
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Wild now play at Grand Casino Arena after new naming rights deal succeeds Xcel Energy Center
PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Wild will play the upcoming season at Grand Casino Arena, after a naming rights deal with the tribal gaming and hospitality company that succeeds the venue’s original name, Xcel Energy Center. The Wild’s parent organization, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment, announced on Monday the 14-year agreement with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe that takes effect on Sept. 3. The tribe operates two casino-resort complexes in east-central Minnesota, north of the Twin Cities. The arena, which has about 18,000 seats for hockey, opened in 2000 for the Wild’s inaugural season in the NHL on a 25-year naming rights deal with Xcel Energy that expired this summer. The utility provider remains a community and business partner of the club. In addition to Wild games, the downtown...
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‘It’s a privilege to live here’: What this Canada Day means for new citizens
By Vanessa Tiberio Samantha Sannella shed happy tears as she stood to sing the national anthem at her citizenship ceremony in early June, nearly three decades after she moved to Canada. She had sung “O Canada” countless times before, but this was the first time she’d done so as a Canadian. Originally from Houston, Texas, Sannella moved to Toronto 28 years ago for a job. For the longest time, she still considered herself a U.S. citizen, with a part of her thinking she might move back one day. But that changed last fall. “Because of the political climate down there, I decided finally after the last U.S. election that I was really Canadian in my heart and home is here with my boys,” Sannella said, referring to her Canadian-born children...
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Point Park returned to Northern Ontario First Nations after 27 year-long struggle
By Jon Thompson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ricochet The smell of walleye and the sound of live music wafted through Point Park on Indigenous Peoples Day. Under the 30C sun, dozens of children ran between the beach and inflatable, bouncy castles. Susan Councillor took in the ruckus under a lone tree at the edge of the park. Across the mouth of Rainy River to her right, you could see International Falls, Minnesota. To her left, Couchiching First Nationwas visible on the southern shore of Rainy Lake. And behind her, the highway met the Town of Fort Frances. All of this action right in the middle felt to her like the good old days. “This is awesome. We haven’t had something like this anywhere, (a place) to sit and enjoy music...
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Brantford Police charge man with child pornography related offences
BRANTFORD, ONT-A 39-year-old city man is facing child pornography charges as a result of an investigation by the Brantford Police Service (BPS) Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) in February. BPS’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit raided a Brantford residence on March 31, 2025, after receiving tips through the National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children and the R.C.M.P. Police seized multiple computers, cellphones, and electronic devices during the search. Detectives working in the ICE Unit found evidence of child pornography on the various devices. As a result of the investigation, on June 26, 2025, a Brantford man was arrested and held for a bail hearing. The accused is facing one charge of Accessing Child Pornography, and two counts of Possession of Child Pornography contrary to the Criminal Code. The Brantford...
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Alberta byelection called for Aug. 18, giving Poilievre path to House
By Sarah Ritchie Pierre Poilievre has chosen one of the safest possible places to make his return to the House of Commons — but the rural Alberta riding he’s hoping to win in an August byelection could also be dangerous territory for the Conservative leader. Damien Kurek resigned his seat in Battle River—Crowfoot earlier this month after winning more than 82 per cent support in the April 28 election. Prime Minister Mark Carney has set Aug. 18 as the date for the vote. While almost no one expects Poilievre to lose, the decision to run in this particular part of the country has some analysts scratching their heads. “It sounded like he was looking for some sort of cakewalk byelection where he could easily get in, but he may have...
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Bill C-5 approval disappoints Indigenous leaders
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source NESKANTAGA — The way Neskantaga First Nation Chief Gary Quisess sees it, Bill C-5 proves Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is just another conservative government. “I think it’s the same, it’s not any different than (Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government),” Quisess said Friday, the day after Ottawa’s major projects bill became law. “I think the Carney government is the same as the PC government. That’s personally how I feel.” The federal bill, which gives Ottawa new powers to fast-track projects deemed “in the national interest,” passed without amendment in the Senate on Thursday, six days after passing in the House of Commons, and then swiftly received royal assent. It followed the passage of provincial Bill 5, a “Protect Ontario” act that...
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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 First Nations TV channel APTN. 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 being...
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First Nations’ initiative calls for action on $60b in projects to ‘drive growth, deliver on climate goals, support Indigenous leaders
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The First Nations Climate Initiative (FNCI) is calling for more flexibility in federal government actions to further its goals, and assist in developing more than $60 billion in projects to drive economic growth, deliver on climate goals and support Indigenous leadership. The FNCI is described as an Indigenous-led initiative committed to “fostering resilient communities through strategic climate action, alleviating First Nations’ poverty, restoring ecosystems in First Nations’ traditional territories and enabling Indigenous people to be leading actors in the decarbonized economy,” according to its website. The organization is led by several First Nations in northern B.C., including Halfway River First Nation in Wonowon. The others are Haisla Nation, the Metlakatla Nation and the Nisga’a Lisims Government. Alex...
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Culture and community shine at Woodland celebration
By Kimberly De Jong, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brant Beacon Residents and out-of-town visitors alike attended the Woodland Cultural Centre’s National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Heather George, Executive Director of the Woodland Cultural Centre, said she was happy to see the community come together to celebrate the day. “It’s been so fantastic to see the turnout and to see so many community members from Six Nations and Brantford coming out, meeting each other in this space and getting to share in our culture,” she said. “Our most favourite thing to do here at Woodland is to bring people together and do it in these really beautiful ways, so it’s just been an amazing day.” Jody Martin, David M. General and Alex Jacobs-Blum partake in an...
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Motorcyclist hospitalized after serios collision on Mississauga Road
HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – A motorcyclist with life-threatening injuries was taken to hospital after a collision June 29, 2025, at about 7:07 p.m., on Mississauga Road . Haldimand County OPP, along with fire and EMS, responded to the collision on Mississauga Road, between Highway 6 and Ojibway Road, involving a passenger vehicle and a motorcycle. The motorcyclist sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital for medical treatment. A section of Mississauga Road between Highway 6 and Ojibway Road was closed as investigators continue to examine the scene. The OPP is asking motorists to avoid the area and follow detours. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses....
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From lacrosse myths to kilts: 5 things you may not know about Canadian symbols
By David Baxter Parliamentarians likely will get a chance later this year to debate whether to adopt a livestock brand as an official national symbol. A bill to create the brand was introduced earlier in June by Saskatchewan Conservative MP Steven Bonk. If the bill passes, the brand will become Canada’s 10th national symbol — joining O Canada, the coat of arms and the maple tree. Here are five things you may not know about the official symbols that say “Canada.” The beaver does not stand alone Everyone knows the beaver stands for ingenuity, craftsmanship and hard work. For 50 years, the beaver has been an official national symbol of Canada. These bucktoothed builders have long been associated with Canadian history. They were the foundation of the 17th century fur...
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Amid calls for separation, Alberta’s new referendum rules set to formally take effect
By Lisa Johnson As Canada prepares Tuesday to blow out 158 birthday candles, Alberta plans three days later to formalize rules making it easier to have an independence celebration of its own. Beginning Friday, Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government is officially lowering the required threshold for citizens to initiate a provincewide referendum, including on separation. Mitch Sylvestre, CEO of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a non-profit group touring Alberta promoting independence, says he plans to apply to Elections Alberta that same day to start a petition under the new rules. The group aims to gather 177,000 signatures within 120 days to put the question on a ballot to voters: Do you agree the province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province of Canada? “I...
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Nova Scotia ministers silent on environmental racism report, to meet with authors
By Keith Doucette Nova Scotia government ministers say they will meet with a panel tasked with examining environmental racism in the province, although they remain tight-lipped on the panel’s findings, which were submitted a year ago. Following a cabinet meeting Thursday, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs Twila Grosse confirmed the meeting, adding she will attend. “We want to ensure that we collaborate and that we move forward,” she said on the report by the eight-member panel appointed in June 2023 to look at how racism affects a community’s natural environment. It was delivered to the province about a year ago. The panel’s members included community leaders with expertise in subjects such as Mi’kmaw and African Nova Scotian history, law, health and environmental sciences. Environmental racism can occur in instances...
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Saskatchewan’s former top Mountie, Rhonda Blackmore, hired for new job with RCMP
By Jeremy Simes The RCMP says Saskatchewan’s former commanding officer now has a new job with the force. Mounties say Rhonda Blackmore has been hired as assistant commissioner of Indigenous and support services, replacing Warren Brown, who recently announced his retirement. Blackmore abruptly left her previous role in early June and has been replaced by an interim commanding officer until a new one is selected. Media reports have cited an email from Blackmore saying she was removed from the position due to anonymous complaints made against her. RCMP declined to comment on the complaints and whether they were launched through the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner. The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in Saskatchewan and a local petition have called on Mounties to explain what happened and undertake an external review...
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