Student minister to participate in COP28
By Cal Braid Local Journalism Initiative reporter Shane Goldie, a student minister from Milk River, had his sights set on traveling to Dubai as a delegate to COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties. His plans have changed. The Middle East is in turmoil, and the trip that Goldie had planned has gone from an actual reality to a virtual reality. The conference runs Nov. 30, Dec. 12, and Goldie will be participating remotely, though he says that in some ways that’s a good thing. “That helps cut down our carbon footprint,” he said. Goldie, 22, is a student minister of the United Church, which has a standing delegate status to the climate conference. He serves Knox United in Taber and St. Paul’s United in Milk River,...
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Urgent: Six Nations Police have arrested man who barricaded self in house, shelter in place lifted
Sixth Line Road between Chiefswood and Tuscorora Roads has been re-opened after Six Nations Police with OPP assistance resolved an armed barricaded person incident early today. The man has been arrested. (Photo by Lynda Powless) By Lynda Powless Editor SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER – A person who barricaded themselves inside a house on Sixth Line has been arrested! The shelter in place has been lifted, a person has been taken into custody and police report there were no injuries. Six Nations Police Chief Darren Montour said Sixth Line Road is now opened. It was closed while investigators assessed the scene . He said details on charges will be released later today. The incident began Thursday (Nov., 30, 2023) at about 10:32 p.m. when police recieved a call about...
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Treaty 8 Chiefs Back Lawsuit Against Alberta, Federal Governments Over Child Welfare
By Jeremy Appel Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Treaty 8 First Nations chiefs are supporting a lawsuit launched by current and former Indigenous foster children alleging the Alberta government pocketed federal funds intended for children in care. The suit alleges that children’s special allowances (CSA), which are intended to match funds for children whose parents receive the Canada Child Benefit, have been used as general revenue by Alberta governments dating back to 1993. Under the CSA, children under the age of six are entitled to a monthly $620 payment while children six and over are entitled to $520. “The Province of Alberta by its actions was essentially using children in care as a source of revenue, to offset its funding obligations of child welfare. And that is just wrong,” plaintiff lawyer...
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Metis self governance bill would help right wrongs, Crown-Indigenous relations minister says amid controversy
By Alessia Passafiume THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA- The Liberal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is defending a bill that would formalize several Metis self-governance agreements, after more than a month of heated debate between Indigenous leaders at a parliamentary committee. Crown-Indigenous Relation Minister Gary Anandasangaree says Metis have been fighting for their rights for centuries, and a Liberal government bill aims to right the wrongs of the past. He told a committee studying Bill C-53 today that the legislation is in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The leaders of Metis groups in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario say the legislation would unlock new opportunities and foster a new relationship with Ottawa. But prominent First Nations voices are raising concerns about irreparable damage to their own...
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Constitutional challenge in Indigenous lobster fishing case moving ahead this week
By Michael MacDonald THE CANADIAN PRESS HALIFAX- An Indigenous fisherman appeared Thursday in a northern New Brunswick courtroom, where he began a constitutional challenge that could prove pivotal for First Nations across the Maritimes. Cody Caplin, a member of the Eel River Bar First Nation, was fishing for lobster in the Bay of Chaleur in September 2018 when he and his brother Kyle were arrested and their boat was seized by federal fisheries officers. A year later, they were charged with 10 fishing offences, including trapping lobster out of season. Caplin says his brother eventually pleaded guilty to the charges, mainly because of the financial burden of going to trial. But Caplin has pressed on, claiming the Mi’kmaq have constitutionally protected Indigenous and treaty rights to fish and hunt to...
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Repairs to Six Nations recreation parks and facilities made with $403,500 grant
Six Nations of the Grand River (SNGR) Parks and Recreation have been able to make needed repairs to a number facilities thanks to an $403,500 Ontario Community Buildings – Capital Stream Grant approved in 2021 and received last year. Six Nations band administration actually received the grant in April of 2022 after being approved in September 2021 but just announced it Thursday (Nov., 30,2023) The grant came from the Ontario Community Buildings Fund – Capital Stream and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. This funding, which was released in April 2022 after being approved in September 2021, was used to make needed improvements., including safety items at the Parks and Recreation facilities. The grant funding was utilized by October 1, 2023, on the following projects: Replacement of the swing doors with automatic...
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P.E.I. councillor suspended, fined $500 for posting anti Indigenous sign
MURRAY HARBOUR, P.E.I.- A municipal councillor in eastern Prince Edward Island has been ordered to pay a $500 fine for displaying a sign on his property denying the existence of residential school graves. The council in Murray Harbour has also suspended John Robertson for six months and ordered him to write a letter of apology. Chief administrative officer Anne Harnesk confirmed Thursday that Robertson has until Friday to comply with the council’s orders, which were drafted last month after an independent investigation was conducted by a former Mountie. In October, Robertson displayed a sign with the message, “Truth: mass grave hoax” and “Reconciliation: Redeem Sir John A.’s integrity” ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Robertson could not be reached for comment. On Nov. 18, council held a special...
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Discovery of another ancient giant on the Westshore
By Sidney Coles Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Last week American forest conservationist Josh Wright discovered a giant Western redcedar on Vancouver Island that has since been dubbed the “Knight Tree.” Wright lives on the Olympic Peninsula but grew up with the old growth on Southern Vancouver Island. He was involved with the Fairy Creek movement and told The Westshore that he “spent the past five or so years watching place after place, there, get destroyed by logging.” The Knight tree stands on unceded Ditidaht territory in Caycuse Valley an area known for its old growth and the logging protests that took place and began in 2020 and continued for well over a year. Vera Edgar-Cook, a Ditidaht elder told The Westshore, “I’m sad to see all the logging that’s happening...
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Crown appeals discharge in Land Back Lane
CALEDONIA / SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND – Land Back Lane activists are heading back to court as the Crown appeals the absolute discharge ruling. Back in 2020, Six Nations land rights activists including Skyler Williams, halted a housing development on Mackenzie Road in Caledonia. The development site was located on what are known as unceded Haudenosaunee ancestral lands. Land activists have since occupied the site, now known as 1492 Land Back Lane with tiny homes and gardens. Initially, two civil court judges sided with developers Foxgate and backed the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) attempts to evict and charge the activists. The permanent injunction to evict them was made in December, but was not enforced by the OPP. Then between July and October, Land Back Lane activists including Williams were...
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Chiefs of Ontario asks for judicial review of carbon price regime
By Jordan Omstead THE CANADIAN PRESS UPDATED Nov., 30, 2023 TORONTO-First Nations leaders in Ontario say Canada needs to fix what they call a “discriminatory” carbon price system, arguing the federal government failed to address their repeated concerns and blocked their exemption request only to then issue a carveout targeting Atlantic Canada. The Chiefs of Ontario (COO), a political advocacy group representing 133 First Nations in the province, filed an application for judicial review in Federal Court on Thursday, claiming the system places an unjust price on their communities without suitable cost relief. A First Nation leader called the move “completely avoidable” if the federal government had only “showed up to the table.” “We want climate action to be meaningful and have results, but not at the disadvantage of our...
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Listen, Hear Our Voices initiative launches once more
By Marc Lalonde Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Library Archives Canada project aimed at helping Indigenous communities preserve their language and culture materials through digitization opened its latest round of funding and called for proposals Thursday morning. The Listen, Hear our Voices program, is open to First Nations, Inuit and Metis governing organizations and non-profit organizations. Up to $100,000 is available per submission, and deadline to apply is January 30, 2024. “Preserving Indigenous documentary heritage allows us to safeguard the past, while investing in meaningful collaborations that guide us towards a more enriched and understanding future,” Canadian Heritage minister Pascale St-Onge said. “Our government is committed to continue supporting the preservation of Indigenous cultures and languages.” Since its creation in 2019, the Listen, Hear Our Voices project has funded 75...
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AFNQL joins Anishnabeg communities’ fight for justice
By Marc Lalonde Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL) is joining a pair of Anishnabeg communities in Quebec to denounce an Australian mining company, and the provincial governments, refusal to share mining royalties with the communities. AFNQL Chief Ghislain Picard levied charges against the Quebec government last week, saying they have avoided sharing mining royalties with the First Nations upon whose territory the mines are located. “Quebec’s refusal to grant the possibility to First Nations of identifying territories that are incompatible with mining activities and sharing with First Nations a portion of the mining royalties that it receives from mines located on unceded territories,” represent a betrayal by the government, Picard said. He also added that Sayona, the Australian mining company that...
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Tseshaht First Nation gets funding to search for missing children
By Marc Lalonde Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A First Nations community out west will get a funding package to continue the search for their missing children around the former Alberni Indian Residential School (AIRS), the federal government announced last week. Tseshaht First Nation will get another $2.7 million from the federal government to continue the search for their missing children around the former school property in Port Alberni, British Columbia. Through an initiative the community calls `Doing it for our Ancestors,’ Tseshaht is engaging elders, AIRS survivors and community members by undertaking research and knowledge gathering, ceremony and cultural activities, and planning. The community will continue its ongoing field work investigations using geophysical search technologies and construct a memorial. “Tseshaht First Nation is pleased to receive this additional support from...
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Candidates for Assembly of First Nations national chief face off in Winnipeg forum
By Brittany Hobson THE CANADIAN PRESS WINNIPEG- The six candidates vying to be the next national chief of the organization that represents more than 600 First Nations in Canada explained how they would advocate for treaty rights, sovereignty and health issues during a forum a week before the election. Four of the major groups representing First Nations in Manitoba hosted the event in Winnipeg on Wednesday to hear from those running to lead the Assembly of First Nations. Chiefs or proxies attended and were given the opportunity to ask questions. The election follows the dramatic ouster of former national chief RoseAnne Archibald, who was voted out after colleagues accused her of creating a toxic work environment, an allegation she has denied. The candidates running to replace her are Reginald Bellerose,...
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Indigenous signage aims to make B.C. legislature more inclusive, accepting
By Dirk Meissner THE CANADIAN PRESS VICTORIA- British Columbia’s legislature, described as the province’s symbol of colonialism, now has a series of Indigenous language signs with seven messages about ancestors, warriors, settlers and children permanently bolted to the building’s stone sidewalk perimeter. Messages written in the Lekwungen Indigenous language and English were unveiled Wednesday at an outdoor ceremony at the 125-year-old building, attended by Indigenous leaders, Premier David Eby and members of the New Democrat, BC United, Green and Conservative parties. Esquimalt Nation Elder Mary Ann Thomas, accompanied by drummer Charlie George of the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, walked slowly beside the signs, stopping to bless them with prayers and sprinkles of eagle down. “This building is the largest symbol of colonialism in B.C.,” said Speaker of the legislature...
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Constitutional challenge in Indigenous lobster fishing case moving ahead this week
By Michael MacDonald THE CANADIAN PRESS HALIFAX- An Indigenous fisherman is expected to appear Thursday in a northern New Brunswick courtroom, where he will launch a constitutional challenge that could prove pivotal for First Nations across the Maritimes. Cody Caplin, a member of the Eel River Bar First Nation, was fishing for lobster in the Bay of Chaleur in September 2018 when he and his brother Kyle were arrested and their boat was seized by federal fisheries officers. A year later, they were charged with 10 fishing offences, including trapping lobster out of season. Caplin says his brother eventually pleaded guilty to the charges, mainly because of the financial burden of going to trial. But Caplin has pressed on, claiming the Mi’kmaq have constitutionally protected Indigenous and treaty rights to...
Liberal minister to testify after heated testimony from Metis, First Nations groups
By Alessia Passafiume THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA- As Indigenous leaders engage in heated debate over a federal bill that would formalize several Metis self-governance agreements, the Liberal minister for Crown-Indigenous relations is expected to face tough questions on Wednesday afternoon. While the leaders of Metis groups in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario say the legislation would unlock new opportunities and foster a new relationship with Ottawa, prominent First Nations voices are raising concerns about irreparable damage to treaty rights. They say that with the bill, the federal government is essentially giving Metis organizations a blank sheet of paper to write treaties on, with no oversight. Now it’s Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree’s turn to take questions at the House of Commons Indigenous and northern affairs committee, which has been studying Bill...
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Coastal GasLink pipeline mechanically complete before year end deadline
VANCOUVER- The Coastal GasLink pipeline that stretches across northern B.C. is mechanically complete ahead of the company’s year-end deadline. A statement from TC Energy Corp. says history has been made by finishing Canada’s first pipeline to the West Coast in over 70 years. The company announced in October that the installation of the pipe was finished, while mechanical completion means the end of construction, successful hydrotesting of the full 670-kilometre line and engineering reviews. The statement says Coastal GasLink’s team is in the field getting ready to deliver gas to the LNG Canada processing and export facility in Kitimat, on B.C.’s northern coast. It says that while construction crews have been packing up, reclamation work still needs to be finished and some of the workforce will return next spring. Planning...
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Auditor general raises concerns about B.C.’s bookkeeping for 16th time
VICTORIA- British Columbia’s auditor general is repeating himself over concerns about the way the provincial government keeps its books, just as the Ministry of Finance’s quarterly report projects a $5.6-billion deficit. Michael Pickup says if B.C’s financial statements followed Canadian public sector accounting standards there would be about another $7 billion in the revenue column, and liabilities would have dropped by the same amount. This is the 16th time Pickup’s office has “qualified” its audit report, meaning it couldn’t say the financial statements were fairly presented. Pickup says the way the province records money it receives for specific projects is incorrect because instead of counting the cash as revenue as soon as a building is complete, a portion is counted each year across the project’s lifetime. He also says government...
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Seaspan welcomes new shuttle buses wrapped in First Nations art
By Mina Kerr-Lazenby Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Some of North Vancouver’s most compelling art isn’t always found in its galleries. Sometimes it can be spotted walking the streets or, in the case of two new Indigenous artworks, on the morning commute. Count yourself lucky and you might just find yourself parked up at a red light during rush hour traffic alongside one of Seaspan’s new electric employee shuttle buses. The two shuttle buses feature the custom artwork of S?wx?wu7mesh ?xwumixw (Squamish Nation) artist Ray Natraoro and s?lilw?ta? (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) artist Olivia George, with each wrapped in traditional, Indigenous designs that celebrate the local waters. Master carver Natraoro created a nautical scene that depicts a black and red killer whale set against swirling waves, chosen because the marine mammal represents “family and...
