Thomas King’s revelation he is not Indigenous sends ripples through culture sector
By Nicole Thompson Thomas King’s revelation that he has no Indigenous ancestry sent ripples through Canada’s cultural sector, while raising questions about what responsibility a person has when they claim a heritage they say they cannot prove. The 82-year-old author of “The Inconvenient Indian” revealed on Monday that he is not part Cherokee on his father’s side, as he said his mother told him as a child. The same day, the Edmonton Opera announced it would no longer stage an adaptation of his 2020 novel “Indians on Vacation,” following conversations with Indigenous community members from Treaty 6 territory. Communications director Jelena Bojić said those conversations were not in response to any single article or revelation, but began several weeks ago when community members raised concerns about the production. She didn’t...
Register
Manitoba’s plan to tackle meth to include co-ordination, new resources: Kinew
By Steve Lambert Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was applauded by municipal leaders Tuesday as he promised a crackdown on the distribution of methamphetamines, although details of the plan have yet to be revealed. Kinew told the Association of Manitoba Municipalities that his idea, alluded to in last week’s throne speech, will see a body set up to help co-ordinate drug enforcement among all police agencies in the province. “When we have other parts of the world sending new, higher-octane meth that is taking advantage of our vulnerable people here in Manitoba, we’ve got to push back,” Kinew told the convention. “And so we’re taking action. A meth task force — Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP, all the law enforcement agencies including First Nations, working together to bring the hammer down on...
Register
Cold November rain in the B.C. legislature puts First Nations’ rights into question
By Nora O’Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Victoria, B.C. – This November B.C. MLAs punted into oblivion a pair of private members’ bills concerning First Nations. On Nov. 19, Independent MLA for Peace River North Jordan Kealy put forward the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Statute Repeal Act. His bill was blocked from advancing by a vote of 48-43. On Nov. 20, OneBC MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena Dallas Brodie pitched the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Statute Repeal Act, which introduced a motion to repeal the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a provincial holiday in B.C. Brodie’s bill was quashed with 86 ‘nays’ and three ‘yeas’. Spencer Chandra Herbert, minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and NDP MLA for Vancouver-West End, called the two pieces...
Register
Lawsuit seeks damages against B.C., federal government over Cowichan title ruling
A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court says the provincial and federal governments had “long-standing” knowledge that unresolved Indigenous land claims threatened the security of property ownership in Canada. The lawsuit filed this week in New Westminster, B.C., alleges the recent decision by the court recognizing the Cowichan Tribes’ title over a swath of property in Richmond, B.C., has caused economic and ‘psychological harm” to members of the proposed class. One of the plaintiffs, Jasjeet Grewal, says in the lawsuit that he owns property in B.C. and claims title to the land is now uncertain because “all properties in British Columbia are now subject to claims of pre-existing Aboriginal title.” The other proposed representative plaintiff is John Doe, an unnamed Richmond property owner whose property is “directly located...
Register
Alert system for missing Indigenous women in Manitoba appears to be one step closer
By Steve Lambert The Manitoba government is welcoming a report on a potential Red Dress Alert system that could protect missing Indigenous women and girls. The federal and Manitoba governments have been looking at the idea, which would be similar to Amber Alerts for abducted children, under a pilot project run by a grassroots organization. A final report from the group says the proposed system could be in place next year and should be accompanied by a 24-hour call centre, professional help in communicating with police, and support for searches by ground, water and air. Manitoba Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine says the report is not asking anything of the province right now but the government is supportive of the idea. She says people have been asking for a Red Dress...
Register
Explainer on Alberta UCP legislature members facing recall petitions
Fourteen Alberta legislature members with Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party caucus are facing recall petitions from constituents. It’s the first time the province’s Recall Act has been used on provincial politicians. It was brought in under former UCP premier Jason Kenney as a way to empower citizens and hold politicians accountable between general elections. Under the legislation, a petitioner must submit a reason in 100 words or fewer about why they feel an MLA should be recalled. The person must live in the constituency and pay a $500 processing fee. There are no set criteria on what the reasons can be. If the petition is approved by Elections Alberta, the applicant has 90 days to collect enough names from people in the constituency to trigger a vote. The number...
Register
Carney says B.C. ‘has to agree’ on pipeline plan from Alberta
By Nick Murray British Columbia “has to agree” on any pipeline from Alberta to the Pacific coast, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday, as his government edges closer to unveiling the details of a new energy pact it has been negotiating with Alberta. In question period Tuesday, Carney was pressed by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to state when a pipeline would be built. Carney said a memorandum of understanding with Alberta — expected to be announced Thursday while the prime minister is in Calgary — would lay out “necessary conditions but not sufficient conditions” for a new pipeline. “We believe in cooperative federalism,” Carney said. “We believe the Government of British Columbia has to agree. We believe that First Nations rights holders in this country has to agree and support.”...
Register
Manitoba Premier Kinew asks PM Carney for sentencing, parole overhaul
By Steve Lambert Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has asked the prime minister for stiffer sentences for repeat or serial killers, citing the recent release of one killer that Kinew says “disgusts” him. In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Kinew said he also wants changes to the parole system in the wake of the release of Shawn Lamb, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2012 deaths of two Indigenous women — Carolyn Sinclair and Lorna Blacksmith — and was sentenced to 20 years the following year. Lamb was released earlier this month under statutory release — a provision under federal law that sees most inmates automatically let out after serving two-thirds of their sentence. Kinew said the release “is not justice.” “The release of Mr. Lamb disgusts many...
Register
Police clear protesters from Vancouver Island logging blockade
Police say they have arrested four people during enforcement of a court injunction prohibiting anyone from blocking or interfering with forestry activities in the Carmanah Valley of southwestern Vancouver Island. A statement from the RCMP on Tuesday says a blockade of people, vehicles and wooden items had been established along the Walbran Forest Service Road for several months. The unnamed protesters had issued a statement on Aug. 25, saying they had put up large wooden sculpture of a cougar as part of their effort to block logging trucks, and calling for the permanent protection of ancient forests across British Columbia. The clearing of the protest camp by police follows a B.C. Supreme Court ruling in September that granted the injunction to Tsawak-qin Forestry Limited Partnership, which is co-owned by Western...
Register
Trouble in ‘Team Canada’ as B.C.’s deputy premier raises spectre of pipeline lawsuit
By Wolfgang Depner Rifts in “Team Canada” appear to be widening on the brink of a federal announcement on a potential pipeline from Alberta to the West Coast, with B.C.’s deputy premier even raising the prospect of legal action against the project. Asked if she expects B.C. to file a court challenge against the pipeline that Premier David Eby has derided as a “fictional” project, Attorney General Niki Sharma said Tuesday she was “staying tuned to see.” It’s the latest example of interprovincial sniping over the pipeline, with Eby dismissing it as a “communications exercise” from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Smith, meanwhile, has suggested that B.C. should get little say in the matter. She said Friday of B.C.’s opposition that “there was also a lot of sabre rattling in previous...
Register
Search continues for bear that attacked B.C. pupils, two other grizzlies to be freed
By Nono Shen The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says two grizzlies captured in Bella Coola will be fitted with tracking collars and relocated far from the community, while the search goes on for the bear that attacked and badly injured three schoolchildren and a teacher last week. The bears were captured as officers search for the mother bear thought to have attacked the group of 20 people on a trail in the central coast community about 700 kilometres northwest of Vancouver. The service says in an update on Tuesday that the second bear, a male, is still being assessed, but there isn’t conclusive evidence either of the grizzlies that were caught on Monday was involved in the attack. It says an intense search continues for the grizzly sow and her...
Register
Federal Offender unlawfully at large arrested in Hamilton
Hamilton, ON – The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad has arrested Federal Offender Heather Bell who went unlawfully at large on October 1st, 2025 . Bell was located and arrested by the ROPE Squad in Hamilton, Ont. She is serving a 4 year, 11 month and 8 day sentence for; Possession of Schedule I/II Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking x 3 counts Fail To Comply with Order – At Large Possession of Weapon knowing unauthorized Possession of Weapon contrary to Prohibition Order The Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance in this investigation....
Register
FBI surge leads to charges in 2020 killing in Native American community
By Susan Montoya Bryan BERNALILLO, N.M. (AP) — Unconditional love. That’s what Vangie Randall-Shorty felt the moment she first held her son. She still feels it — even though Zachariah Shorty is now gone. “I carry him in my heart every day,” she said, while trying to find the words to describe the wave of emotions that washed over her Monday when she learned that federal authorities had charged three people in connection with her son’s killing on the Navajo Nation in 2020. She had waited so long for answers, telling herself with each new year that she would finally see justice for her 23-year-old son. Her wait ended as the U.S. Department of Justice announced the results of the latest deployment under Operation Not Forgotten. Under the operation this...
Register
Alberta minister reportedly putting together first AI-generated legislation in Canada
By Fakiha Baig The Alberta government is about to take the next logical step in artificial intelligence — using it to draft a proposed law. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally says the plan is to use AI to develop and introduce the Alberta Whisky Act when the house sits next spring. “AI is a tool that is being leveraged across many sectors in Canada,” Nally said in a statement Tuesday. “In sectors such as health care, it can be a useful tool to assist health professionals in diagnostics, helping them find abnormalities during screening procedures for patients.” Nally said the AI-generated legislation will then be vetted to ensure all checks and balances are met. “This would make Alberta the first jurisdiction in Canada to utilize AI for this purpose.” Alberta’s...
Register
Energy minister to brief B.C. Liberal MPs on expected Alberta pipeline deal
By Nick Murray Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson is set to brief B.C. Liberal MPs today on the government’s expected energy deal with the province of Alberta. The move comes after B.C. Liberal MPs last week said any deal involving a pipeline to the West Coast would need consent from First Nations and the B.C. government, repeating talking points from the government in recent weeks. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday in the House of Commons that B.C. “has to agree” to any pipeline being built to the Pacific coast. Concerns have been raised from B.C. this week about how the deal is shaping up, with Premier David Eby saying it was “unacceptable” that Ottawa and Alberta were negotiating a potential pipeline through his province without involving his...
Register
Women, visible minorities gaining ground in venture capital, private equity: study
By Tara Deschamps Diversity is increasing across Canada’s venture capital and private equity landscape, a new survey suggests. Research published Wednesday by the Business Development Bank of Canada found that 88 per cent of general partners (GPs) the organization surveyed had at least one woman on their investment committees last year. That was up from 63 per cent in 2021. Seventy-six per cent of GP respondents reported at least one person from a visible minority group on their investment committees, up from 55 per cent in 2021. GPs manage venture capital and private equity funds and thus, oversee teams that make major investment decisions shaping a startup’s trajectory and the broader Canadian economy. BDC surveyed 68 GPs and more than 550 portfolio companies over the winter for its report. The...
Register
A look at previous failed pipeline projects in Canada
By Lauren Krugel Alberta’s push for a new oil pipeline has been dredging up the ghosts of projects past. Here is a look at what happened with three ill-fated projects: KEYSTONE XL First proposed in 2008, TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL extension would have expanded an existing pipeline delivering crude to refineries in the U.S. Midwest and provided a direct route to the world’s biggest refining complex on the Texas coast. Canada’s energy regulator approved the plan in 2010. South of the border was another matter as activists made the project a proxy for the broader battle against climate change. The saga was marked by pipeline reroutes, lawsuits, political showdowns and high-profile protests that saw the likes of actors Margot Kidder and Daryl Hannah arrested outside the White House. Former president...
Register
Thomas King’s revelation he is not Indigenous sends ripples through culture sector
By Nicole Thompson Thomas King’s revelation that he has no Indigenous identity is sending ripples through Canada’s cultural sector, while raising questions about what responsibility a person has when they claim a heritage they say they cannot prove. The 82-year-old author of “The Inconvenient Indian” revealed on Monday that he is not part Cherokee on his father’s side, as he said he believed from childhood based on information from his mother. Also Monday, the Edmonton Opera announced it would no longer stage an adaptation of his 2020 novel “Indians on Vacation,” following conversations with Indigenous community members from Treaty 6 territory. Communications director Jelena Bojić said those conversations were not in response to any single article or revelation, but began several weeks ago when community members raised concerns about the...
Register
Court dismisses lawsuit accusing Manitoba Métis leader of wrongdoing
By Alessia Passafiume The Manitoba Métis Federation is celebrating an Ontario Superior Court decision that found its president did not breach his fiduciary duties while serving as finance minister for the Métis National Council. In a decision on the lawsuit released Tuesday, Justice Loretta P. Merritt wrote that a series of transactions made under the leadership of former MNC president Clément Chartier and MMF president David Chartrand did not breach their fiduciary duties. Merritt concluded they acted “honestly and with a view to the best interests of the MNC and the Métis Nation.” “It’s clear that the plaintiffs were not straight with the court, and the court saw through it. The MMF remains focused on self-government implementation, the delivery of programs and services to our citizens, and defence of our...
Register
Door-to-door pickups, students restricted to grounds amid search for bear in B.C.
Students were allowed back to school today in Bella Coola, B.C., where a bear attacked a group of students and teachers last week, but the kids couldn’t leave the grounds and the bus was doing door-to-door service. The search continues for a mother grizzly bear with two cubs thought to be involved in the attack on a group of about 20 people from the school last Thursday that badly injured four. A statement from Acwsalcta School, an independent school run by Nuxalk First Nation in Bella Coola, says it’s taking “additional steps and precautions” to ensure safety for all the students as it welcomes their return. It says students should not be walking from 4 Mile, the area near the bear attack, and that students would be allowed to “play...
Register
