Prime Minister Mark Carney visiting his birthplace in Northwest Territorie
By Canadian Press staff Prime Minister Mark Carney is back in the town where he was born as he travels across the Northwest Territories. Carney spent his early childhood in Fort Smith, south of Yellowknife along the Alberta boundary, before he moved with his family to Edmonton. On Wednesday he visited the town’s community centre, spoke with children attending a local summer camp and discussed affordability and employment with their parents. Carney also met with Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson and is set to discuss wildfires with community leaders before heading to Inuvik in the territory’s northwest corner. The prime minister is set to co-host the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee on Thursday with Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, a national organization representing Inuit. It will be Carney’s second meeting...
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Land claim case over Anicinabe Park will continue, court rules
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com KENORA — Three First Nations in the Kenora area will get to present evidence they say proves that they are the rightful owners of Anicinabe Park. Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation, Wauzhushk Onigum and Obashkaandagaang — or Washagamis Bay — have filed a joint land claim against the City of Kenora and the federal government, arguing the property, which is currently owned and operated by the city, was wrongfully sold to the municipality by the federal government in 1959. The defendants attempted to get the case dismissed, arguing the limitation period in which to file it had expired. But in a July 14 ruling, Justice Robin Lepere said it was not “plain and obvious” that the conditions necessary to bar the claim from proceeding...
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Yellowknife’s Giant Mine: Canada downplayed arsenic exposure as an Indigenous community was poisoned
By Arn Keeling and John Sandlos Decades of gold mining at Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, has left a toxic legacy: 237,000 tonnes of arsenic trioxide dust stored in underground chambers. As a multi-billion government remediation effort to clean up the mine site and secure the underground arsenic ramps up, the Canadian government is promising to deal with the mine’s disastrous consequences for local Indigenous communities. In March, the minister for Crown-Indigenous relations appointed a ministerial special representative, Murray Rankin, to investigate how historic mining affected the treaty rights of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. We document this history in our forthcoming book, The Price of Gold: Mining, Pollution, and Resistance in Yellowknife, exposing how colonialism, corporate greed and lax regulation led to widespread air and water pollution, particularly...
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Premiers call for improved relationship with China during trade war with the U.S.
Canada’s premiers have called on the federal government to improve the country’s relationship with China in the face of the ongoing trade war with the U.S. With tariffs and constant economic threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford say the country will need to deal more with China. The premiers have gathered in Huntsville, Ont., for the third and final day of the Council of the Federation meeting. “If we’re truly going to move and expand our reliance away from the United States in any way, shape, or form — and I would suggest the only way to do it is on additional products produced, not existing — we’re going to have to deal with China, and so we’re going to need...
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Ontario First Nations say they’ll resurrect ‘Idle No More’ movement over twin ‘C’ bills
By Jacqueline St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Manitoulin Expositor ONTARIO—Nine First Nations in Ontario have filed a joint legal application in Ontario’s Superior Court seeking to strike down two recently passed laws—one federal and one provincial—that they say violate their constitutional rights and threaten the environment. The nations—Alderville, Apitipi Anicinapek, Aroland, Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Ginoogaming, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Oneida Nation of the Thames and Wabauskang—announced their case at a press conference at Queen’s Park on Wednesday. The legal challenge targets Bill C-5, also known as The One Economy Act, and Bill 5, Ontario’s Special Economic Zones Act. Both laws were passed earlier this year and aim to accelerate the approval of major infrastructure and resource development projects deemed to be in the national or provincial interest. The First Nations...
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Grand Chief Linda Debassige demands Ontario environment minister resign
By Jacqueline St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Manitoulin Expositor ONTARIO—The Anishinabek Nation has issued a firm and sorrowful song to the halls of power: water is life, and this sacred truth must no longer be subject to the push and pull of partisan tides. In a searing statement, Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige condemned Ontario and Alberta for attempting to block Bill C-61, a federal act that would safeguard source water, drinking water, wastewater, and related infrastructure on First Nation lands. “We are shocked,” the Grand Council Chief wrote. “Water is life and we will always defend our First Nation rights while ensuring that legislation aligns with the principles of reconciliation, sovereignty, and respect for our Anishinabek communities.” The bill, carved over years of dialogue and co-drafted in...
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Six Nations features in new docuseries looking at birth through an Indigenous lens
By Celeste Percy-Beauregard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator A new docuseries about reclaiming Indigenous traditions around birth could serve as a useful tool for health-care workers and people who are expecting — whether they’re Indigenous or not, says filmmaker Rebeka Tabobondung. “We binge-watched it,” Katsitsionhawi Hill said of the eight-part “Spirit of Birth” docuseries, out now on APTN’s Lumi app. Although Hill and her partner, Joe Doolittle, were featured in the series, they were curious to see “what other people are doing, too, and what we wanted to do differently for this baby,” she told The Spectator. The docuseries was inspired by Tabobondung’s own experience giving birth nearly 20 years ago. As she spent time in Wasauksing First Nation (between Barrie and Sudbury) connecting with family, she told...
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The case for North American Indigenous free trade
Support for a North American Indigenous trade coalition would leverage the continent-wide potential of Indigenous trading networks. It’s a win-win-win. by David Carrière-Acco Policy Options Canada should be looking for ways to strengthen Indigenous trading networks as it responds to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and considers how to stabilize the economy. Indigenous nations have been trading amongst themselves since time immemorial, moving goods, services and ideas across North and South America. Long before the Europeans arrived, fish from the Pacific were traded for metals from the Canadian Shield. However, these extensive trade relationships have been disrupted through colonialism and, more notably, by the Indian Act. Most Indigenous communities, businesses, and entrepreneurs would like the Canadian government to re-establish inter-tribal trade relations across Turtle Island, i.e. North America. Doing this will...
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NYS Senate Native American relations committee joins calls for Haudenosaunee Olympic inclusion
By Ryan Zunner Buffalo Toronto Public Media Republican members of the New York State Senate’s Subcommittee on State-Native American Relations are joining calls from other state and federal officials in support of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The confederacy is made up of six nations — Oneida, Onondaga, Mohawk, Tuscarora, Seneca and Cayuga. Lacrosse will take to the Olympic field for the first time since the 1908 games. The sport is a traditional and spiritual game for the Haudenosaunee that stretches back centuries. “It’s only fitting Native American tribes are properly represented as an independent, sovereign nation as the sport returns to the Olympics for the first time in more than 100 years,” said State Senator Rob Ortt, who co-authored the letter to the...
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Premiers call for improved relationship with China during trade war with the U.S.
By Liam Casey Canada’s premiers are calling on the federal government to improve the country’s relationship with China, make changes to the bail system and spend more money on health care. They are meeting for the third and final day of their gathering in Huntsville, Ont. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford say the country will need to deal more with China given the challenges of the ongoing trade war with the United States. The premiers say in a statement they’d like the federal government to prioritize work toward the removal of Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola, peas, pork and seafood. The premiers met with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday to discuss the trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump after meeting with First Nation leaders...
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Six Nations Police seeking help in identifying four people after a smoke-bomb ignited inside a local business
Two of four suspects Six Nations Police are seeking after a smoke bomb was ignited inside a local business (SNP Photo) OHSWEKEN, ON – Six Nations Police are seeking the public’s help after a smoke-bomb type firework was ignited inside a local business causing damage to the business. Police are looking for, four individuals, believed responsible for damaging a Chiefswood Road business Saturday, July 19th, 2025 at about 11:58 a.m. Six Nations Police attended the area business to find that a smoke-bomb type firework that emits flame and smoke was ignited in the establishment.The device caused minor damages to the interior of the building as a result of the smoke residue and burning. Police said “fortunately, no additional fires were ignited in the area.” The four suspects ignited...
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Six Nations Haudenosaunee celebrate the 98th annual Jay Treaty Border Crossing
Six Nations Haudenosaunee celebrated the 98th annual Jay Treaty Border Crossing Saturday July 19th marching across the Rainbow Bridge from Niagara Falls NY to Niagara Falls Ontario marking Indigenous rights to cross freely into the two countries. (Supplied Photo)...
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‘No level playing field’: NAN leader says he can’t accept Bill C-5
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com OTTAWA — After meeting with senior federal ministers and listening to Canada’s Prime Minister, the leader of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation says he can’t accept the Building Canada Act as-is. NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler was one of many Indigenous leaders from across Canada that attended a summit in Gatineau on July 17 with Prime Minister Mark Carney and other senior ministers. The large-scale meeting was organized over widespread opposition by First Nations to the Building Canada Act — a piece of legislation which is part of the broader Bill C-5 — that aims to fast-track projects deemed to be in the “national interest,” particularly those around energy security, natural resource development and the economy. “We heard words like ‘duty to consult’...
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Haudenosaunee Chiefs development department threatens to shut down Toronto construction site
By Lynda Powless Editor The Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) is threatening to shut down a construction site in Toronto charging “ancestral remains of the Haudenosaunee” are being kept in a dump truck. An HDI statement says the remains have been kept in the dump truck for over a year after being found at a Withrow Avenue construction site that has turned into an “active archaeological site.” HDI made the statement after failing to reach a consultation agreement with the city of Toronto. The HDI statement says they do not know the location of the dump truck. “For over a year, the City of Toronto and its consultants have refused to grant us access to our ancestors ’remains,” said Aaron Detlor, legal counsel for HDI. Detlor charges “We’ve been denied basic information,...
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Six Nations needs more health care options, more doctors, and more funding to attain those goals.
Six Nations needs more health care options, more doctors, and more funding to attain those goals. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is preparing to host Dr. Jane Philpott, Chair of Ontario’s Primary Care Action Team and former federal Minister of Health, on July 23 to raise urgent concerns ranging from the community’s exclusion from Ontario’s new primary care strategy to an integrated health facility. Councillor Amos Key, chair of the Wellbeing Committee confirmed the visit at the General Council meeting on July 8 during his committee update. “We do have a meeting from the Chief’s office organized… that’s going to be great because there are lots of things we want to share with her,” Key said. The province’s current approach to primary care expansion has left First Nations, including Six...
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Volunteer group brought Bread and Cheese to elders homes
A grassroots effort by Six Nations community members has ensured some of the community’s most vulnerable members were able to participate in the community’s 150-year-old Bread and Cheese tradition this year. The Victoria Day (May 24) event marking the historical alliance between the Haudenosaunee and British Crown is one of Six Nations most popular events. Thousands of slices of bread and hunks of cheese are given out to community members in a fair like atmosphere. But for some Six Nations people it almost went by without their participation. Jennifer Mt. Pleasant appeared before Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) meeting July 8 to provide an update on a newly launched volunteer-led delivery effort. “There were a lot of community members wanting bread and cheese,” she said. “They were not able to...
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New funding amendment for long term care
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) has approved a new funding amendment addition for long-term care as part of its ongoing five-year Comprehensive Funding Agreement with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), which covers the period from 2021 to 2026. SNEC approved one additional funding amendment for $201,000 at the General Finance meeting held on July 7. Jennifer Court, Director of Finance, presented the latest amendment to SNEC. The addition includes $201,400 in funding for Home and Long Term Care, Assisted Living Institutional Care. That would include the Jay Silverheels Complex and Iroquois Lodge. Iroquois Lodge remains closed after large-scale flooding in the community affected the lodge. Long-term care residents were forced to evacuate in the early morning hours of June 18. Buildings for Community Care, including community support at the Jay Silverheels...
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Norfolk deserts water supply plan
By Tara Lindemann Writer After almost 20 years of efforts, Norfolk has backed out of a multi-jurisdictional water supply deal that leaves Six Nations of the Grand River without a plan to access a reliable safe water supply. “SNGR had been collaborating with Norfolk on this project and pursuing the opportunity to bring water into the southern portion of the community,” said Public Relations Coordinator Darrien Bomberry, who confirmed that “funding is the main barrier.” Norfolk announced the stoppage at its July 8 meeting, citing the failure of critical provincial and federal funding to help support the water-starved county. Due to post-pandemic supply-chain disruption and inflation, the price tag for Norfolk’s part in the inter-urban project for Norfolk escalated from $60 million to $450 million, money that Norfolk wanted from...
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Area chiefs declare Ring of Fire a protected homeland
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com ATTAWAPISKAT – A youth-led movement is gaining momentum as Mushkegowuk Council chiefs formally declared the Ring of Fire a protected homeland. Meeting in Ottawa on July 15, the Mushkegowuk Council of Chiefs passed a resolution asserting that no development can take place in the Ring of Fire without the free, prior, and informed consent of any affected Mushkegowuk First Nation. The resolution also called for the withdrawal and repeal of Ontario’s Bill 5 and Canada’s Bill C-5, legislation many say undermines Indigenous rights by streamlining development approvals on traditional lands. The motion was sparked by a presentation from 21-year-old Jeronimo Kataquapit, an Attawapiskat resident who recently launched the movement Here We Stand. For nearly a month, Kataquapit and his family have camped along...
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First Nation Youth Protest Ottawa National Meeting Regarding Bill C5
By Xavier Kataquapit Writer First Nation youth from northern Ontario protested a major meeting between hundreds of Chiefs and Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Thursday July 17. The federal government had set up the meeting with the Chiefs in a tightly controlled event that was held at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. Jeronimo Kataquapit, an Attawapiskat First Nation youth leader led a group of 20 other young First Nation protesters to the entrance of the meeting and were turned away by security. Media had also been blocked from the event. “When people come into your home, you don’t stand by and watch them do whatever they want. You protect it,” said Kataquapit speaking to reporters outside the meeting. The meeting only included an invited list...
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