Brant County OPP investigate distraction theft…seek’s public help in identifying man
BRANT, ON – Brant County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating a theft after a man entered a commercial property on Brant Street, St. George and a $50 scratch ticket was rmoved from the counter. OPP said the theft happened Thursday August 28, 2025, at about 2:24 p.m., when a bald, man wearing a green t-shirt and black pants entered the store and distracted the store employee. OPP said while the employee was distracted the suspect removed a $50.00 scratch ticket from the counter and then left the store. The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information that could assist in identifying this suspect, please contact Brant County OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or reach out to Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppersbb.com. Reference # E251167427...
Register
ROPE squad asking for public’s help after federal offender breaches Day Parole
Jeffrey Caldwell OTTAWA, ON – The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of a breach of their Day Parole. Jeffrey Caldwell is described as a Caucasian male, 51-years-old, 6’0″ (183 cm), 235 lbs (107 kgs) with black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of the Sun (Keltic) on his left upper arm. Caldwell is serving a 2-year and 1-month sentence for: Possession Schedule III Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking Possession Schedule Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking Possession of a Firearm Knowing Its Possession is Unauthorized Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Knowing Its Possession is Unauthorized Fail...
Register
Trump administration asks military base near Chicago for support on immigration operations
By John O’connor And Sophia Tareen CHICAGO (AP) — The Trump administration asked a military base outside of Chicago for support on immigration operations this week, offering a clue of what an expanded law enforcement crackdown might look like in the nation’s third-largest city. The Department of Homeland Security asked Naval Station Great Lakes for “limited support in the form of facilities, infrastructure, and other logistical needs to support DHS operations,” Matt Mogle, spokesperson for the base 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Chicago, said Wednesday. The request came weeks after the Republican administration deployed National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to target crime, immigration and homelessness, and two months after it sent troops to Los Angeles. Although details of the administration’s plans for Chicago are scarce, city leaders said...
Register
‘I was very, very upset,’ says sister of Indigenous man struck by RCMP during arrest
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Port Alberni, BC – Caroline Hall says her brother Shawn is an addict. Shawn Hall, 33, has been living on the streets of Port Alberni for months now, she says. “I really care about him. He’s a good person, he just got in a really bad place. I’m just hoping one day he’ll get better ‘cause I don’t know… He’s my baby brother,” said Hall. “I deal with my brother a lot. I usually hold on to his paycheque and distribute it out to him throughout the month, so he doesn’t spend it all at once,” she shared. Shawn is Indigenous, with Cree and likely Hesquiaht First Nation roots. He is a repeat offender with a criminal history dating back to at...
Register
Canada’s top court won’t hear appeal in land dispute at Ontario’s Sauble Beach
By Vanessa Tiberio The Supreme Court of Canada has declined to hear an appeal of a lower-court ruling that upheld a First Nation’s ownership of a stretch of land at a popular Ontario beach after a lengthy dispute. Canada’s top court has dismissed the appeal request from several landowners, the Town of South Bruce Peninsula and the province after a stretch of land along Sauble Beach was returned to Saugeen First Nation in 2023. The Supreme Court did not provide a reason for its decision, which is customary. Saugeen First Nation said in a statement that it is “both proud and grateful” to celebrate the “historic vindication” of its treaty rights. “Generations of Saugeen people have fought tirelessly against all odds to protect and preserve this deeply important area at...
Register
AFN chief says next week’s gathering will set stage for major projects talks
By Alessia Passafiume The Assembly of First Nations’ annual general meeting next week in Winnipeg will set the stage — and the tone — for engaging with governments on major infrastructure projects. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says politicians will be paying close attention to the resolutions chiefs pass related to the federal major projects legislation. The bill, which passed in June, has seen strong opposition from some First Nations leaders and community members who fear it won’t respect their rights. “We look forward to that — to hearing leadership debate, discuss and advance to the next steps,” she said in an interview. The annual general assembly that kicks off on Sept. 3 will be the first time the AFN, which advocates on behalf of more than 600 chiefs, is...
Register
‘We should have been notified,’ says FWFN chief of spill in the Kam River
By Clint Fleury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY – After a concerned citizen sounded the alarm on social media about a hazardous spill in the Kaministiquia River, Fort William First Nation’s chief is asking why members of the public were not informed. Jamie Zaroski told Newswatch on Thursday that while he was boating on the Kam River on Saturday, Aug. 23, he noticed an “orangey tan colour” substance near Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper, where the mill discharges (its) sewage.” “I proceeded upstream; it’s everywhere. The whole water was an orange-tan colour, and I kept going, and it kept going. It’s right to Lake Superior, six miles up the Mission River. I mean, we’re talking a river that’s 400 to 500 feet wide, 30 feet deep past the...
Register
Politics left at the border as Niagara-on-the-Lake welcomes ‘our U.S. neighbours’
By Paige Seburn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Lake Report It’s been a summer marked by tension for Canada and the United States, as tariff disputes and talk of Canada becoming the 51st state show few signs of fading. While that’s made some Canadians reluctant to head south of the border, it hasn’t stopped flocks of Americans from crossing north, a few making Niagara-on-the-Lake a key stop. Sometimes, the strain bubbles over in emotion: some American visitors to NOTL have gotten sentimental, locals say, even apologizing or hugging volunteers and employees when thanked for coming. But local tourism representatives say they don’t engage in politics — they simply offer a warm welcome, says Vlad Haltigin, co-lead for the Niagara-on-the-Lake Ambassadors. Many Americans who come up to the ambassadors on the...
Register
Six Nations Police seek public’s help in search for wanted individual
Rodney LaForme OHSWEKEN, ONT. – Six Nations Police is appealing to the public to help locate a wanted individual. Rodney Laforme, 42, of Ohsweken, Ont., is wanted for multiple sexual-related offences. To protect the identify of the victims, no further information will be released at this time. The Criminal Investigations Unit is actively conducting an ongoing investigation and would appreciate assistance with determining Laforme’s whereabouts. Anyone with additional information is urged to call Six Nations Police at 519-445-2811. If they wish to remain anonymous, they can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or submit an online tip at crimestoppersbb.com. They may be eligible to receive a cash reward up to $2,000....
Register
Food hubs planned across Treaty 3 territory to combat food insecurity
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com KENORA — The investment corporation of Grand Council Treaty 3 is planning to establish four hubs throughout the territory where community members can access food, with a focus on traditional ingredients. The Treaty 3 Investment Group recently received $250,000 from the province’s Indigenous economic development fund towards what a government announcement called “a large-scale food distribution centre.” Maria Montoya, the Indigenous-led investment group’s strategy and innovation analyst, said the project aims to set the hubs up with one each in the territory’s general north, south, east and west areas. “Something that we have heard so much in (community) meetings that we had with different communities was that this work cannot wait any longer,” Montoya said. “We have seen all the changes that...
Register
Uncertainty reigns in Kanesatake nearly one month after cancelled election
By Maura Forrest Tensions are flaring in the Mohawk community of Kanesatake nearly one month after an election was abruptly called off, leaving disagreement and uncertainty over who is in charge and how to organize another vote. The cancellation has sparked anger, confusion and accusations of a power grab in an already deeply divided community west of Montreal, which was at the centre of the 1990 Oka Crisis. Now, it seems likely the courts will have to decide who has the authority to hold a new election. “It’s do or die as usual,” said Serge Simon, one of the incumbent council chiefs. “We always seem to be on the edge of that precipice.” On Tuesday, the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake filed a statement of claim asking the Federal Court to...
Register
Survey reveals widespread scepticism towards Residential School evidence, amid growing denialism movements
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A new survey by the Angus Reid Institute found that almost two-thirds of Canadians held reservations about the 2021 findings from Kamloops Indian Residential School, a figure raising eyebrows among scholars. Jon Roe, a research associate at the Angus Reid Institute, said the survey was part of a series designed to gauge Canadians’ understanding of Indigenous issues, starting with the One Canadian Economy Act. “We wanted to maybe broaden the scope a bit, just to take a look at all the contemporary issues that we’re seeing from Canadians,” Roe said. According to the survey, 63 percent of Canadians say they need more evidence before accepting that the “soil anomalies” uncovered at Kamloops Indian Residential School represent unmarked graves, while 46 percent said it...
Register
MCK approves emergency payment for students relying on Jordan Principle funding
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake has approved an emergency payment of more than $325,000 to cover the cost of tuition for students living with disabilities in the community ahead of the new school year. The decision was made in response to significant delays in the implementation of Jordan’s Principle funding provided by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) over recent months. MCK Chief Jeffrey Diabo said the payment is intended to ensure that these students can still access the specialized educational services they need in the interim. “We are seeing the emotional toll this uncertainty is taking on our students,” Diabo said. “The anxiety, the fear of losing their school environment, and the disruption to their routines are deeply affecting their mental health.” In...
Register
Talks resume between land defenders and the provincial government over Bill 97
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Amid rising tensions between forestry workers and land defenders across the forests of Northern Quebec, the provincial government and the Atikamekw Nation have returned to the negotiating table, in hopes of preventing a wider conflict from breaking out. Andre Pikutelekan, a spokesperson with the land defense alliance MAMO First Nation, said the situation on the ground remains stable despite increasing hostility. “Morale is good within the group,” Pikutelekan said. “Overall, things are going well, despite this surge of racism among forestry workers’ supporters.” This latest flare up has broken out over bill 97, which aims to modernize Quebec’s forestry regime, though critics have argued it favours resource extraction at the expense of environmental conservation and treaty rights. According to Peter Graefe, a...
Register
Canada’s top court won’t hear appeal in land dispute at Ontario’s Sauble Beach
The Supreme Court of Canada has declined to hear an appeal of a lower-court ruling that upheld a First Nation’s ownership of a stretch of land at a popular Ontario beach after a lengthy dispute. Canada’s top court has dismissed the appeal request from landowners and the province after a stretch of land along Sauble Beach was returned to Saugeen First Nation in 2023. This dismissal comes nearly two months after members of Saugeen First Nation changed the iconic “Welcome to Sauble Beach” sign that greeted beach visitors. The temporary “Welcome to Saugeen Beach” sign was erected to reflect the First Nation’s ownership of the land, with the town’s mayor expressing disappointment that he wasn’t alerted of the change. The Ontario Court of Appeal upheld last December the decision that...
Register
Wildfire evacuation alert issued for N.W.T. community
By Jordan Omstead Evacuation preparations are underway in a First Nation community in Northwest Territories as a wildfire burns nearby. The territory’s No. 1 priority fire grew four kilometres from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and now burns about eight kilometres southwest of Whatì, officials said Thursday “I think we are ready for a possible evacuation, and it looks like it’s going to happen,” said Sherbaz Muhammad, the community government’s senior administrative officer, in an interview Thursday morning. “We’ve been hoping, wishing that we’ll stay, but I think it’s not just the smoke. It looks like the fire is so close.” The air quality in the region was considered a very high health risk as of Thursday morning, prompting widespread warnings from Environment Canada. In Whatì, officials say sprinklers are...
Register
AFN chief says next week’s gathering will set stage for major projects talks
By Alessia Passafiume The Assembly of First Nations’ annual general meeting next week in Winnipeg will set the stage — and the tone — for engaging with governments on major infrastructure projects. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says politicians will be paying close attention to the resolutions chiefs pass related to the federal major projects legislation, which has seen strong opposition from some First Nations leaders and community members who fear it won’t respect their rights. The annual general assembly that kicks off Wednesday will be the first time the AFN is handed a formal mandate to respond to governments on behalf of First Nations.. Provinces have enacted similar legislation to fast-track major projects in an effort to shore up the Canadian economy in the wake of U.S. President Donald...
Register
Survey reveals widespread scepticism towards Residential School evidence, amid growing denialism movements
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase A new survey by the Angus Reid Institute found that almost two-thirds of Canadians held reservations about the 2021 findings from Kamloops Indian Residential School, a figure raising eyebrows among scholars. Jon Roe, a research associate at the Angus Reid Institute, said the survey was part of a series designed to gauge Canadians’ understanding of Indigenous issues, starting with the One Canadian Economy Act. “We wanted to maybe broaden the scope a bit, just to take a look at all the contemporary issues that we’re seeing from Canadians,” Roe said. According to the survey, 63 percent of Canadians say they need more evidence before accepting that the “soil anomalies” uncovered at Kamloops Indian Residential School represent unmarked graves, while 46 percent said...
Register
Latest Angus Reid survey sheds new light on the One Canadian Economy Act
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase While most Canadians are staying up to date on the One Canadian Economy Act, many lack a clear grasp of the principles at stake, according to data released by the Angus Reid Institute last week. Research associate Jon Roe said the Angus Reid Institute surveyed 2,508 people to gauge public opinion regarding Section 35 of the Constitution Act and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). “We wanted to see where Canadians stood on these issues, especially as we’re looking through Mark Carney’s government,” Roe said. The results come as legislatures across the country move to scale back Indigenous and environmental consultations amid economic uncertainty from U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump. “He’s kind of the elephant in the...
Register
‘This is an epidemic’: NAN holds walk for overdose awareness
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source THUNDER BAY — Anna Betty Achneepineskum came to Wednesday’s International Overdose Awareness Day commemoration carrying a framed photo of Dave Beardy. The Nishnawbe Aski Nation deputy grand chief explained that an overdose claimed the life of her son-in-law Beardy, from Muskrat Lake Dam First Nation, six years ago. “My daughter is here, and his daughter is here,” Achneepineskum said near Shelter House on George Street, where NAN had concluded its International Overdose Awareness Walk. “And I know there’s other family members here who have lost loved ones as well,” she said. “So this is an epidemic all across this country. And we need to do more.” International Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 31, but NAN held its walk on Wednesday,...
Register
