International court rules against Guatemala in a landmark Indigenous and environmental rights case
By Daniel Shailer THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MEXICO CITY (AP)- Guatemala violated Indigenous rights by permitting a huge nickel mine on tribal land almost two decades ago, according to a ruling from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights Friday. The landmark verdict marks a monumental step in a four-decade struggle for Indigenous land rights and a long, bitter legal battle, which has at times spilled into the streets of northern Guatemala. It also comes at the close of the United Nations U.N. climate summit COP28, which stressed the importance of renewables and energy transition minerals like nickel more than ever. According to a verdict read from Costa Rica in the early hours of the morning, the Guatemalan government violated the rights of the Indigenous Q’eqchi’ people to property and consultation, by...
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Minnesota panel chooses new state flag featuring North Star to replace old flag seen as racist
Minnesota’s new state flag should feature an eight-pointed North Star against a dark blue background shaped like the state, with a solid light blue field at the right, a special commission decided Tuesday as it picked a replacement for an older design that many Native Americans considered offensive. By Steve Karnowski THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MINNEAPOLIS (AP)-Minnesota’s new state flag should feature an eight-pointed North Star against a dark blue background shaped like the state, with a solid light blue field at the right, a special commission decided Tuesday as it picked a replacement for an older design that many Native Americans considered offensive. The State Emblems Redesign Commission chose the final version on an 11-1 vote after finalizing a new state seal that depicts a loon, the state bird. Unless...
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Six Nations Police and Ministry of Transport truck inspections raise community concerns
By Lynda Powless Editor SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND-A political misstep could have come close to a confrontation Tuesday (Dec.19, 2023) when Six Nations Police invited the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to conduct vehicle checks on large trucks passing through Six Nations without the approval of either the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC) or Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) . Turtle Island News received calls from community members of trucks being pulled over and inspected including opening the doors to look inside. Mohawk Chief Allen MacNaughton said the MTO “has no authority at Six Nations and shouldn’t be here, and the Six Nations Police have no authority to call them in.” He said the HCCC was not contacted or consulted by Six Nations Police. Not just the HCCC wasn’t made...
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Will the eruption of the volcano in Iceland affect flights and how serious is it?
Iceland’s Reykjavik penninsual volcano erupts (Supplied photo) LONDON (AP)- Scientists anticipated the eruption of a volcano in southwestern Iceland for weeks, so when it happened on Monday night, it was no surprise. The region had been active for more than two years and thousands of small earthquakes rattled the area in recent weeks. Here is a look at what happened and what may be ahead: HOW THE ERUPTION UNFOLDED It started at about 10:20 p.m. local time on Monday north of Grindavik, a fishing town of 3,400 people on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The town is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, in an area known broadly as Fagradalsfjall volcano. First there was a series of small earthquakes. Then lava that’s some 1,200 degrees Celsius (2,192 degrees...
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Traffic Affected- Truck slips into ditch at Six Nations
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND- Six Nations Police and public works crews were busy this morning when a truck slipped off Fifth Line at Chiefswood Road partially into the ditch. The incidet was still underway at 11:00 a.m. today ( Tuesday Dec., 19) with crews working to right the vehicle. (Photo by Jim c. Powless)...
Six Nations Police investigating shots fired at building
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- Six Nations Police are investigating after receiving reports of shots being fired at a building on Onondaga Road. Police said at about 7:30 a.m. December 15, 2023, they attended the property and fond “numerous projectile holes outside of the building.” Police said no injuries were reported Video surveillance of the property showed a newer model white Sports Utility Vehicle pull into the lane way of the establishment. The vehicle circled around the parking lot, coming back to the front of the building where the suspect(s) proceeded to fire from the vehicle towards the building. Police said the suspect vehicle exited the property and left southbound. This investigation remains ongoing as police continue to investigate. Anyone with information or who may have been in the...
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Ojibwe version of original Star Wars in the works
By Dave Baxter Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A new version of an iconic Star Wars film will be created and performed in the Ojibwe language, thanks to a new partnership formed between a Manitoba Tribal Council and Disney/Lucasfilm. On Monday, the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council (DOTC) and the University of Manitoba (UM) announced they will partner with Disney/Lucasfilm and APTN to create an official Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) version of 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope. Auditions for Anishinaabemowin voice actors are scheduled to take place in Winnipeg in 2024. Script translation and sound recording will also take place in Winnipeg, while sound mixing and post-production are scheduled to occur at Skywalker Sound in California. “This is an exciting project that seeks to restore the Ojibwe language to the galaxy,” DOTC director of...
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Dundas man charged after weapon fired outside Six Nations business
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND- A Dundas man is facing firearm and drug charges after Six Nations Police responded to a call a man was firing a weapon at a Fourth Line Road business Dec., 17th . Six Nations Police said they received information a patron at a local business was firing a weapon into the air Dec., 17th at about 11:10 p.m Police attended the scene and found the suspect vehicle still on scene. Police approached the vehicle, issuing commands for the male party to surrender to police. The man complied without incident and was placed under arrest. No injuries have been reported to police as a result of the weapon being fired. As a result of the investigation, Artur Ivashinnikov, 31, of Dundas, Ontario was arrested and charged...
Five Nations Energy, Hydro One ink new partnership
By Amanda Rabski-McColl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Indigenous communities have a new energy partner. Five Nations Energy Inc. and Hydro One have signed a partnership to increase economic development in energy for First Nations and Indigenous participation in energy sector projects. This includes planning, development, and building of future transmission line projects “We recognize that through partnership, we can do so much more, and we recognize that we want to change the perspective,” said Hydro One CEO David Lebeter. “So when a project goes ahead it leaves a lasting legacy for the people who live in that area, which is very different than how it’s been done in the past.” Five Nations Energy is Indigenous-owned and provides electricity through transmission lines from Moosonee to Fort Albany, Kashechewan, and Attawapiskat. It...
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New Manitoba license plates to support MMIWG2S
By Brenda Sawatzky Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Manitoba drivers now have one more option to choose when getting a license plate. At a cost of $70, the sale of these new plates will help support families of the MMIG2S (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited) community. From each plate sale, $30 will be donated to Winnipeg-based Ka Ni Kanichihk, an Indigenous-led charity that provides prevention and intervention programs to help families and individuals of all ages heal from trauma, find success in life, and become leaders themselves. They also provide education and job skills training and mentorship. Proceeds from the licence plate sales will primarily support education costs for students from MMIWG2S families. The announcement of the new plates, which are available at any Autopac agent, was made...
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AFN gets new National Chief
AFN National Chief faces the media By Lynda Powless Editor The newly elected Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief, Cindy Woodhouse, is bringing a change to the national office pledging to work with chiefs across the country and to move forward on outstanding issues. Woodhouse, in her first press conference shortly after being elected last Thursday (Dec., 7), spoke about unity and working with chiefs and said she isn’t running a large band office. “I don’t want a big band office. I want a strong advocacy office to make sure their voices are heard around the country. I will try to help them on day to day issues.” She said she is there to help the chiefs. “I am not going to say I will solve everything in three...
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New AFN National Chief pledges to work for unity
By Lisa Iesse Writer Newly elected Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse pledges to bring change and gave a shout out to a long line of trail blazers including former national chief RoseAnne Archibald. After the announcement of National Chief Woodhouse’s victory, she took part in an oath of office ceremony at the AFN gathering. The election took place Wednesday to Thursday (Dec. 6 to 7) at the Shaw Centre, in the unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation territories (Ottawa). In her opening speech the newly elected national chief said it was important the assembly acknowledge the traditional territories. “I know (the oath) says Ottawa Ontario and there’s many things that need to be fixed within this assembly. Including acknowledge our traditional territories when we write documents like that, that...
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Jordan scheduling directive enacted in Brantford
By Lisa Iesse Writer BRANTFORD – Brantford’s courts are enacting a scheduling directive to get the ball rolling on a backlog of cases, but some Indigenous advocates worry how this will affect the community. The province-wide “Jordan Compliant” scheduling directive came into effect in the Brantford courts on Nov. 20th. Justice Gethin Edward, heard cases in what has become the “Jordan Court” at the Ontario Court of Justice (OCJ) at 44 Queen Street in Brantford He told Turtle Island News he thinks the Jordan scheduling directive should help the accused as well as complainants to have their legal matters addressed more quickly. “An accused is entitled to have his or her issue resolved as quickly as possible. It does no one any good that cases drag on,” he said. Justice...
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Six Nations in surplus now but headed to deficit at year end
Despite a plethora of funding agreements complicating the budget Six Nations is operating in a surplus. Jennifer Court, director of financial planning and analysis presented the second quarter financial statement to Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) at the General Finance committee meeting on December 4. The second quarter ended on September 30, 2023. SNEC’s 2024 budget is $150.6 million with a budgeted deficit of $11 million before either the Ontario First Nation Partnership (OFNLP) or Brantford Casino dollars kicks in. Court said with those funds factored in the budget looks more like $156.2 million with a $2 million deficit. Court said despite some departments like health services, which has a budget of $46.9 million which looks like it’s operating at a deficit of $883,000, they are using surplus and own...
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Six Nations Elected Council fails to respond to Iroquois Lodge: Inspection report allegations of sexual assault and patient care
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) has not responded to Turtle Island News requests for comment on an Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care report revealing issues of care and an assault at the Iroquois Lodge and Nursing Home. An Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care report surfaced with allegations of a staff member sexually abusing a resident at the Iroquois Lodge and Nursing Home (ILNH) and said Six Nations Police were never notified. Six Nations Police Chief Darren Montour has confirmed the police department was not alerted to the assault. The report says the lodge also failed to provide proper care to at least two other residents resulting in infectious wounds and hospitalization in one case. Turtle Island News has learned SNEC did discuss the news article and report...
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Six Nations is reaping the reward from a deal made with a developer in 2016
By Turtle Island News Staff Lonny Bomberry, director of Lands and Resources told Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) they made a deal with McClung Properties Limited in 2016 to transfer three parcels of land to Six Nations in exchange for not interfering with a housing development built in Seneca Township in Caledonia. “Because of the political situation at the time with stoppage of developments in caledonia, particularly on the south side of the Grand River, we impressed upon McClung that they should come to some accommodation on the north side of the river,” he said. McClung offered Six Nations 200 acres of prime agricultural land in Oneida Township. The agreement was that once 200 homes were completed SNEC would receive 75 acres, which it did in 2018. The second transfer...
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A very Merry Indigenous arts Market
Photos by Christopher Tellez KITCHENER – Artists from across Turtle Island ignited the spirit of the season at Kitchener’s city hall for the annual very merry Indigenous art market. A harvest of beautiful handmade artworks greeted streams of admirers and shoppers and included intricately crafted beadworks, dreamcatchers, and moccasins wowed attendees alongside gorgeous ribbon skirts, paintings, prints, etchings, sculptures, and carvings on wood and stone Event organizer Alanah Astehtsi Otsistóhkwa (Morningstar) Jewell is a contemporary artist who is Bear Clan from the Oneida Nation of the Thames. Jewell told Turtle Island News the market that began in 2018 included 35 to 70 artist vendors. “It’s a really good time to be together and to work towards arts and creation and to see familiar faces from our community,” she said. The...
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SNEC deficit coming…why?
Six Nations Elected Council is headed to a deficit for the 2024 budget year, the only question is how much. And that question will be answered with how much of the community’s own source revenues SNEC uses to support its overspending. SNEC has become an over $150 million machine eating up limited government funding for variety of band services provided to the community. Services that are running over budgets and using own source revenue to offset the costs. Why? Why can’t the elected officials siting around the council table, some newbies, others who sat by while the bill ran up, do their job and get the funds needed. The single most important thing the elected band council does is watch the bottom line. It appears that line is hard to...
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Mississaugas of Credit First Nation elect new chief
MISSISSAUGAS OF THE CREDIT FIRST NATION -For the first time in eight years the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation has a new chief with the election of Gimaa Clara (Claire) Sault on Saturday Dec. 9. The MCFN 2023 election took place at the MCFN community centre. The votes were counted immediately after the close of the poll on Saturday and declared after the count. As stated on their website, MCFN has about 2,570 members with approximately two thirds of the community living outside the official MCFN reserve boundary. MCFN’s newly elected Gimaa Clara (Claire) Sault won with 220 votes, or 44.6 per cent of the votes. Chief candidate Margaret Ann Sault was just 10 votes shy of winning, she finished with a total of 211 votes, or 42.8 per...
