New Lil’wat ski and snowboard team hits the slopes
By Luke Faulks, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Pique Newsmagazine Sandy Ward had only been snowboarding for a year or two when Aaron Marchant, founder of the First Nations Snowboard Team, invited her to join a small group of other Indigenous youth to train for the 2010 Olympics. That was in 2005. Now, Ward is leading her own winter sports youth team, the Lil’wat Nation Qwíxwla7 (sliding) ski and snowboard team. Over the next nine weeks, she and two other coaches will take more than 70 skiers and snowboarders between the ages of eight and 22 up to Whistler Blackcomb for lessons and a whole lot of winter fun. “I started in that program, and it got me to where I am today,” said Ward. “So I see how important it...
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Wrecking ball comes for 111-year-old Winnipeg school
By Maggie Macintosh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Winnipeg Free Press Chapman School is being torn down once and for all, following an 111-year-old lifespan often marked by misfortune and mishap. Construction crews were on site at 3707 Roblin Blvd. on Wednesday to tear down the third and final version of the school. The original building, established in 1913, was set ablaze three years after it welcomed its inaugural cohort. A replacement was destroyed in a second fire that broke out during the Second World War and it was hastily resurrected. “It’s always unfortunate when we see historic property come down, particularly in Charleswood; they have such limited historical buildings there,” said Cindy Tugwell, executive director of Heritage Winnipeg. The campus was named after George Chapman, the first reeve of the...
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Bill C-92 legislation hits five-year anniversary
Local Journalism Initiative The landmark legislation that gave Indigenous communities the power to enact and fund their own child-protection laws hit its fifth anniversary as Kahnawake makes its way toward having its own such law. Bill C-92, or the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families came into existence January 1st, 2020. Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) Executive Director Derek Montour lauded the five-year anniversary of Bill C-92, which gives Indigenous communities power over how kids in the child-protection system are looked after and allows them to stay in their communities. “I hope it keeps going, and by that, I hope we continue to see First Nations communities creating their own laws,” he said. “Kahnawake is slowly making its way toward its own such law. We...
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Grassy Narrows establishes checkpoint against human trafficking
By Mike Stimpson Local Journalism Initiative GRASSY NARROWS — A community checkpoint has been set up at the Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narows) First Nation reserve due to concerns about human trafficking. The Treaty 3 community’s emergency response coordinator said in a notice posted last week on social media that there have been “recent incidents involving attempted abductions of our band members.” The Treaty Three Police Service (T3PS) issued a statement acknowledging the concerns in Grassy Narrows and saying “we fully support the proactive measures taken by the Chief and Council to ensure the safety of their members.” The Kenora-based police service “is dedicated to addressing human trafficking, drug trafficking and organized crime in our communities,” the statement declared. A “community sergeant” assigned to Grassy Narrows “has been dedicated to serving the...
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Critical incident review launched into death of man who waited in Winnipeg ER
Canadian Press-The Manitoba government says a review is being launched into the death of a man who waited eight hours in a Winnipeg emergency department, but it’s not clear how much of the review will be made public. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara says a critical incident review will look at what happened after the man was brought by ambulance to the Health Sciences Centre early Tuesday morning. Hospital officials have said the middle-aged man was triaged as low-acuity, was checked on again, and his condition later deteriorated to the point where he could not be revived. A critical incident review — a type of investigation that includes some confidentiality and that does not result in a full public report — is being launched. Asagwara says the review’s findings will be...
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Spell of sudden warmth blows through parts of Dehcho
By Claire McFarlane Local Journalism Initiative Temperatures in some Dehcho communities briefly soared as high as 7C between Tuesday and Wednesday, nearly 30C above the average high for this time of year. Nahanni Butte hit 7C late on Tuesday, Sambaa K’e reached 2C at the same time and Fort Liard had a temperature of 5C as of Wednesday afternoon according to data from local weather stations. A normal day might reach -19C. The warmth came with windy conditions – the area is known for brief but warm Chinook winter winds – and the heat disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived. The temperature recorded in Nahanni Butte dropped from 5C to -10C in the space of an hour on Wednesday morning as the miniature heatwave subsided. “Over the western part...
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Mayor continues to press for solutions on intersection
Local Journalism Initiative Eganville — North Algona Wilberforce Mayor James Brose looked back on 2024 as a year where new challenges were faced and council came together to make well-informed decisions, as well as hiring a new CAO. Looking forward to 2025, council is continuing to have monthly meetings instead of two meetings a month, with the ability to call a special meeting of council if needed. This is vastly different than how most municipalities organize their council schedules, but the mayor said it is working well in NAW. “For the time being it is the third Tuesday of the month and we will try it for three months,” he said. “It seems to work well so far.” Council has been having one meeting a month since September and with...
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Lawyer’s outburst and accusations of crimes against humanity does not sway judge to review a case
Pembroke – In one of the most unusual cases ever heard within the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Pembroke, a lawyer representing a client in a Habeas Corpus case demanded Justice Calum MacLeod recuse himself from presiding over the case on the grounds he has a racial bias against all First Nations and accused him of crimes against humanity. It was nothing short of breathtaking when Glenn Bogue aka Spirit Warrior, claiming to represent D.B. in the Habeas Corpus case demanded Justice MacLeod remove himself and his client’s application be heard under the auspices under the terms contained within the Royal Proclamation of 1763. Habeas Corpus translates to “produce the body.” A Habeas Corpus application is used by individuals who feel they are being wrongfully detained. Upon application, the...
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No:ia, No’:yah!
No:ia, No’:yah! Six Nations community members like Colton and Oaklin Martin joined in welcoming 2025 with the traditional New Year welcome visiting family and friends and receiving a donut at the door. (Photo by Jim C. Powless)...
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Six Nations Elected Council extends OPP contract
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will continue to deliver 9-1-1 services to Six Nations… indefinitely. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approved a motion to extend its contact for another five years with the Primary Public Safety Answering Point Services (PPSAP) through the OPP for another five years at its General Finance meeting on December 16, but rescinded that motion at the General Finance meeting on Monday January 6, 2025. In place of that motion SNEC approved a motion to extend the contract indefinitely, with the option to give 180 days notice to terminate the contract. PPSAP has provided 9-1-1 services to Six Nations since 2011. SNEC pays 56 cents per person to have the service, which is about $7,000 a year. Many councillors were concerned the cost would increase due...
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National chief reflects on successes and challenges of past year
By Sam Laskaris Local Journalism Initiative Reporter OTTAWA-Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak became the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations just over a year ago. In a phone interview with Windspeaker on Dec. 18, Woodhouse Nepinak spoke about both the successes and challenges she encountered in 2024. “Like anybody else, there’s ups and downs,” said Woodhouse Nepinak, who was elected as the head of the AFN early last December. “There’s good days. There’s bad days.” Woodhouse Nepinak took some time to acknowledge others for the role she has served in during the past 12 months. “It’s been a great honour,” she said. “I continue to be very grateful and humbled by the support of First Nations, from the chiefs and Canadians. It’s something I never want to take for granted.”...
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Six Nations father-son duo wins $900,000 lottery
A Six Nations father and son are smiling big these days after winning a $900,000 lottery. Gilbert and Christopher Seth of Ohsweken took home $900,000 over the holidays after winning the BIGGER SPIN INSTANT game. Gilbert is retired and Chris, a security guard have been playing the lottery together for the past four years. They have played games from CROSSWORD, BINGO AND THE BIGGER SPIN and have been lucky. Christoper won $9,0000 with PROLINE but says he wasn’t expecting to take home $900,000 with this win. He bought the ticket at Route 54 Variety and Gas on Highway 54. “I’d picked up the ticket in the morning, but it was around dinner time when my dad played it and realized we’d won a SPI prize,” he said. He said they...
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Six Nations Elementary School hit by vehicle
OHSWEKEN-A Six Nations elementary school sustained significant damages after being hit by a vehicle in November. Six Nations Police issued a release Jan. 3 saying a vehicle hit the building at about 5 a.m,. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Police were contacted by a member of the public who said a vehicle had struck the side of the building, causing significant damages. Police attended and found a vehicle at the scene that had been abandoned. Police said as the investigation continued a male suspect was identified. As a result of the investigation, police arrested and charged Matthew Porter,18, of Ohsweken, Ontario with Mischief under $5,000. Porter is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brantford,Ontario on January 24, 2025....
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Seer says: Chaotic politics and business growth could dominate Six Nations in 2025
By Lynda Powless Editor Political chaos won’t just hit the country federally in 2025, but Six Nations could find itself mired in its own internal issues. It’s that time of the year when we indulge in the ‘what could be’ as everyone wonders what 2025 will bring. Six Nations own seer, Troy Greene said major issues in Canadian politics will dominate the beginning of 2025 resulting in the announcement that, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau steps down. “I see him stepping down not because he is forced to, but he is tired. It’s very sad. There’s a lot of sadness around him but he has decided it’s time,” he said before any announcement was made. The resignation, he said will not affect the economy. “The economy is actually going to start...
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Man facing impaired driving charges
OHSWEKEN- A 60-year-old Ohsweken man is facing impaired driving charges after police conducted a traffic stop Dec. 15, 2024. Six Nations Police were on patrol at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15th when they spotted a vehicle failed to obey a stop sign at the Fifth Line and Onondaga Road intersection. Police conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and said while speaking to the driver saw signs of impaired. The driver was issued an Approved Screening Device demand which resulted in a failed result. Police arrested and charged Alan Emarthle, 60, of Ohsweken with : Impaired Operation Alcohol per se Offence “80 plus” Disobey Stop Sign Drive Motor Vehicle – No Licence Use Plate Unauthorized for Motor Vehicle The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of...
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It’s tasty, it’s fun… it’s Chef Tawnya Brant’s Long Table Experience… a must go!
By Lynda Powless Editor Photos by Jim C. Powless There isn’t any question when Chef Tawnya Brant invites you to a meal…it’s a YES! With Season Two of One Dish One Spoon launching on APTN Jan. 7th, the ever-popular Chef Brant invited a selection of people to enjoy a wonderful dinner recently and we were fortunate enough to be included. The six-course menu was not only a feast for the eyes, but Chef Brant’s lively banter kept everyone in stitches as it unrolled to take us on her journey. The meal started with her GREETINGS of Totah’s Favourites Her Blue Corn Johnny Cake, a Scone Basket, with Strawberry Sassafras Compound Butter and Totah’s Peach Jam became a testimony to her late mother Six Nations Mohawk Seedkeeper Terrylyn Brant. As she...
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2025 and SNEC is travelling
We are off to a new year and already things are heating up . Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is resigning and along with the announcement a Liberal contender’s race is on to replace him as leader of party. With the announcement important legislation could fall by the wayside including a bill that would have made First Nations peoples clean drinking water a right not a hope. Although one would have thought it wouldn’t be necessary to have to force the Canadian government into a bill demanding a right to clean drinking water anywhere in Canada. And it appears the current Assembly of First Nation Chief who is claiming Trudeau did more for First Nations than any other prime minister is having a history eclipse. She seems to have forgotten former...
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Weekly Cartoon
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Today in History
Jan 13 In 2004, the Quebec government reached a tentative agreement with the Kanesatake police commission to end a potentially explosive Mohawk standoff at Kanesatake reserve near Oka, Que., allowing 60 besieged officers from various native bands to leave the station. Grand Chief James Gabriel, whose house was burned down during the protest, had invited aboriginal officers from outside the reserve to crack down on crime and marijuana growing operations in the community. Jan 14 In 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made some changes to his cabinet – moving Montreal M-P David Lametti to justice and shuffling Vancouver’s Jody Wilson-Raybould to Veterans Affairs. Jan 16 In 2024, a Jean Chrétien-era effort to soften the United Nations Indigenous language was casting a pall on the current Liberal government. Newly released Australian...
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY Welcome to 2025…
By Xavier Kataquapit www.underthenorthernsky.com Here we are in a new year and hoping that 2025 will be a positive experience for all of us as individuals and for our civilization on planet earth. If I did a full review of how things went over the past year it just might be a little depressing but it is good to face reality. Life continues to be difficult for Indigenous people living in remote First Nations and although in general it is getting better with important things like employment, education and respect and support from some governments, it is still a challenge for many. There are still problems with water quality, housing needs, the cost of food, easy access to health care and it might not get better with the possibility of...
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