SPORTS BRIEFS: Skywomen Lacrosse captures local tournament
By Sam Laskaris Writer A locally-based women’s lacrosse team took top honours at a tournament it hosted. The squad, called Skywomen Lacrosse, won all seven of its matches at the Skywomen Winter Showdown, which concluded on Sunday at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. Seven clubs took part in the three-day event. Skywomen Lacrosse won all six of its round-robin matches. And then it defeated the Ottawa-based Loggers LC 7-3 in the championship final. Jeff Powless, who serves as an assistant coach with Skywomen Lacrosse, said it was formed as a travel team following the 2024 world box lacrosse championships in Utica, N.Y. “A few of the women got together and just wanted to basically try to keep as many players playing and together,” he said. The local club won the women’s...
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Six Nations man First Nations Lacrosse Association executive director
By Sam Laskaris Writer A local member will now have a more prominent role with the First Nations Lacrosse Association (FNLA). During the FNLA’s annual general meeting which was held remotely on Dec. 6, it was announced that Six Nations’ Kevin Sandy was appointed as the executive director of the association. Sandy is no stranger in lacrosse circles. Since 2009 he has been the CEO for Haudenosaunee Lacrosse, which not only runs lacrosse camps and clinics but also teaches cultural education and awareness about Indigenous issues in communities and schools. Haudenosaunee Lacrosse has run its programs across Canada and the United States. “Very little non-Indigenous people know very little bit about our people,” Sandy said. And now with his new role, Sandy is hoping to create much more recognition for...
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‘I’m truly grateful:’ Bearspaw First Nation education trust fuelling students’ post-secondary pursuits
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook ÎYÂRHE NAKODA — When Katea Kootenay left her foster home at 18, it was up to her to put food on the table while funding her dream of becoming a registered counsellor. The realities of juggling school and two full-time jobs quickly set in. “I would be in school full time and then, in the evening, I would go to work and it’s still like that to this day,” said Kootenay, a Bearspaw band member — one of the three bands of the Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation. Learning from her cousin that her band offered scholarships to post-secondary students, Kootenay reached out to the Ozîja Thiha Education Trust (OTET) — a lifeline in a time when finding the means...
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New Brunswick first province to sign federal “one project, one review” agreement
By Emily Baron Cadloff New Brunswick has become the first province to sign an agreement with the federal government to create a joint environmental assessment process for major projects. Premier Susan Holt made the announcement on Tuesday alongside federal Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc and provincial Environment Minister Gilles LePage. The premier called it a “one project, one review” agreement. It would allow projects that trigger both federal and provincial environmental laws to avoid being forced to do separate reviews. The aim is to remove duplication and make the review process more efficient, Holt said, and “not waste anybody’s time.” The premier said the streamlined assessment would maintain the province’s commitment to environmental protection, engagement, First Nations participation and public involvement. “We will continue to form (decisions) based on data...
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Squamish Nation chair reflects on a year of reconciliation and resilience
By Ina Pace, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Squamish Chief After a transformative year marked by cultural milestones, international diplomacy, and urgent public health action, Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams reflects on his role as chairperson of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). “When we talk about how we are implementing our culture and who we are, it gives me chills.” Elected to council 12 years ago, Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams is a spokesperson for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), currently serving as the council’s chairperson. “Moving into the role of chairperson of the Nation, is quite an extravagant [evolution], cherished by me for certain,” he said. As chairperson, Williams leads the council’s internal processes, as well as advocacy with external relations; someone who indeed has a holistic oversight of the Nation’s development and presence...
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Feds, Ontario to sign deal reducing regulatory burden on Ring of Fire, other projects
By Liam Casey Ottawa and Ontario are set to sign a deal Thursday that will reduce the regulatory burden on large projects, including the road to the Ring of Fire, The Canadian Press has learned. Provincial and federal government sources who are not allowed to speak publicly say Ottawa has agreed to eliminate any duplicative work on its impact assessments on large projects. A draft agreement posted on the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s website says the goal is to work together to implement the “One Project, One Review and One Decision” approach. Webequie First Nation and Marten Falls First Nation are leading environmental assessments on three roads that would connect the provincial highway system to their communities and mining activities in the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region in northern...
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When to treat sick kids at home and avoid gatherings as hospitals hit with flu surge
By Hannah Alberga Health providers are asking parents to treat kids with mild flu symptoms at home and avoid large gatherings as influenza cases spike ahead of the holidays, pushing hospital emergency departments over capacity. The daily number of confirmed flu patients was up by 150 per cent in Ontario last week, with an 84 per cent increase in hospital admissions. Cases are up nationally as well, but the province has been hit especially hard, with three children dying in the last two weeks of influenza complications. Anthony Dale, president and chief executive officer of the Ontario Hospital Association, says Influenza A positivity is now higher than any of the last three seasons, with increases across all age groups. He said the increase of hospital admissions over the last couple...
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Students’ original song arises from love of the land, people
By Jill Westerman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North The K’atl’odeeche First Nation is all the stronger in its culture and Dene Yatie language after a group of students decided to write and record a song with an elder from their community. And just days after posting it on YouTube, the video already had more than 1,200 views. Miley Fabian, Piper Sunrise and Aryn Buggins-Deneyoua, Grades 5 and 6 students from the Chief Sunrise Education Centre on the Hay River Reserve, with support from their Language instructor and elder Auntie Diane Tourangeau, wrote Lyrics From the Land – a song that makes a connection to the students’ personal identity as Indigenous people and overcoming barriers, Dr. Deborah Reid, principal of the school, said. “For the girls, this song is deeply...
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Upcoming Museum of North Vancouver workshop weaves Coast Salish practice and holidays together
By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Shore News An upcoming workshop in North Vancouver is sharing Coast Salish wool weaving with a festive twist. The Museum of North Vancouver (MONOVA) is holding the first Weaving for Winter workshop on Sunday, where attendees will learn the basics of the weaving practice and create a custom decoration that will hold candy canes in a pouch on the Christmas tree. “Just the multicultural part of it, it’s really exciting to have guests come in the museum and share how their culture practices weaving,” said Jordan Dawson, Indigenous cultural programmer with the museum. “The idea of Weaving for Winter is gathering together, whether it be culturally or generationally.” Dawson is a member of both the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw (Musgamagw...
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Hay River looks to strengthen role as northern hub with new strategy
By Aastha Sethi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio The Town of Hay River appears set to move forward with a new economic development strategy for the community. Former Northwest Territories industry minister Wally Schumann, who chairs a local economic development committee, presented the strategy to council last week, saying residents had provided feedback on challenges and opportunities related to Hay River’s economy. Issues raised included broader economic and geopolitical pressures, like mining sector uncertainty, alongside more localized concerns like the fate of the railway to Hay River, which owner CN has declined to repair after a 2023 wildfire. Consultants David Stewart and Mike Aumond were hired by the Town of Hay River to produce the strategy. Aumond said it focuses on things the municipality can control while recognizing the...
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Ottawa ‘welcomes’ Dene Nation’s request for direct funding
By Claire McFarlane, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio Ottawa says it will work with Indigenous governments interested in exercising jurisdiction over child welfare after the Dene Nation requested direct funding to do so. A resolution put forward by the Dene Nation to directly receive transfer payments, rather than have Ottawa send the cash to the Northwest Territories government, passed at an Assembly of First Nations meeting this month. The resolution directed the AFN to call on Ottawa to make the change. Currently, the federal government provides transfer payments to the territorial government to deliver things like healthcare and social services for N.W.T. residents. They are a major source of the GNWT’s annual revenue. The Dene Nation previously told Cabin Radio it is engaged in early discussions with Dene leadership...
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‘Extremely offensive’: B.C. premier’s plans to change Indigenous Rights law met with frustration
By Shannon Waters, Matt Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Narwhal In 2019, B.C. unanimously passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. It was celebrated as a major step toward working with First Nations in a better, more equal way. But a court ruling earlier this month seems to be contributing to a change of heart for Premier David Eby. On Dec. 5, the British Columbia Court of Appeal ruled the government’s obligations under the Declaration Act are legally enforceable. Eby is now arguing judges shouldn’t be setting the province’s reconciliation agenda. And he says he is willing to change the law to make sure they can’t. “The work we do in reconciliation is to empower people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, not to empower the courts,” Eby...
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‘Our hearts are broken’: Squamish Nation enacts emergency measures to fight against toxic drug crisis
By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Shore News The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) has announced emergency measures after losing loved ones to the toxic drug crisis. The Squamish Nation council declared a state of emergency on Dec. 4, after listening to community concerns and recommendations from staff and health experts. “Our hearts are broken. [Last] week has brought so much tragedy to our Nation, and we wrap our arms around all those who have lost loved ones,” Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams, chairperson for the Squamish Nation said in a statement. “But condolences are not enough. Our Nation is in crisis, and we have lost too many of our people.” Williams outlined the council’s actions to address the crisis in an Instagram video Thursday. Williams said the state of emergency...
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MP Idlout calls for investigation into grocery chain’s price increases
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Nunavut MP Lori Idlout has renewed her call for an expedited review of the federal Nutrition North grocery subsidy program, asking the minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs to specifically investigate Northmart price increases. An external review of Nutrition North began in 2024 and is due for a formal report in 2026, while the program itself is overseen by Northern and Arctic Affairs. Idlout’s letter calls for the review to get fast-tracked, the filing of interim reports with immediate action items, and an investigation into the price differences among retailers, like The North West Company’s Northmart chain. “People are saying The North West Company increased food prices when food vouchers were issued through ICFI (Inuit Child First Initiative), then kept...
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Report buried on murdered, missing Indigenous women and girls: auditor general
By John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner She was last seen in a smoke shop four years ago and then disappeared without a trace, a mother of four whose family has been in anguish ever since. Erin Brooks, an Indigenous woman who was 38 years old when she was last caught on a surveillance camera in St. Mary’s Smoke Shop in Fredericton on Dec. 27, 2021, has been the subject of vigils and a $65,000 reward to anyone who can help lead authorities to her whereabouts. The Fredericton Police Force suspect she was the victim of foul play but has not released many details of its investigation. For people who hang red dresses in public places to remind others of the high number of missing and murdered...
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How many glaciers in Canada’s Arctic can be saved from extinction?
By Jordan Omstead Thousands of glaciers across Canada could be saved from total extinction by the end of the century if humanity can bend the curve on global warming, a new global study suggested while offering a grim outlook on one of the world’s icons of changing climate. The study published Monday in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Climate Change estimates almost 80 per cent of glaciers worldwide are set to vanish by 2100 at the planet’s current warming trajectory of around 2.7 degrees above pre-industrial average. That drops to 63 per cent at two degrees, or about 34,000 fewer glaciers wiped out completely. The paper introduced the term “peak glacier extinction” to describe the year when the largest numbers of glaciers are expected to disappear between now and the end...
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St. Alban hosting Dickens reading, free Christmas meal
By Christian Collington, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TheIFP.ca St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church will be opening its doors for two community events this holiday season. The events include a night of classic storytelling and a warm meal on Christmas Day at 537 Main St. in Glen Williams. ‘A Christmas Carol’ reading First, the church will host a dramatic reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” on Friday, Dec. 19. The event begins at 7 p.m. and will feature the classic Victorian ghost story paired with traditional carol singing. Organizers describe the evening as a celebration of redemption and goodwill. Admission is free. Voluntary donations will be accepted with all proceeds going to local charities. Christmas meal Looking ahead, the church will also host its annual free Christmas Day meal....
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Prominent Nunavut woman shares story of domestic abuse
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Close to 30 people marched through downtown Iqaluit to call for an end to violence against women on Dec. 6, reaching Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum, where a TV personality revealed her experience with domestic abuse for the first time. Leading the procession was Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council President Amber Aglukark, Premier of Nunavut John Main, Nunavut RCMP Commanding Officer Kent Pike, and Government of Nunavut Minister responsible for the Status of Women Gwen Healey Akearok. At the museum, Ooleepeeka (Rebecca) Veevee spoke about what she had survived. Veevee is well known as The Laughing Chef, host of the Inuit Broadcasting Company’s TV show ‘Niqitsiat,’ where she made variations of country food like caribou pizza, goose soup, char casserole, seal...
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MP Idlout calls for investigation into grocery chain’s price increases
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Nunavut MP Lori Idlout has renewed her call for an expedited review of the federal Nutrition North grocery subsidy program, asking the minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs to specifically investigate Northmart price increases. An external review of Nutrition North began in 2024 and is due for a formal report in 2026, while the program itself is overseen by Northern and Arctic Affairs. Idlout’s letter calls for the review to get fast-tracked, the filing of interim reports with immediate action items, and an investigation into the price differences among retailers, like The North West Company’s Northmart chain. “People are saying The North West Company increased food prices when food vouchers were issued through ICFI (Inuit Child First Initiative), then kept...
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17-year-old is third person charged in relation to Carry the Kettle murders in February
By Nicole Taylor, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The World-Spectator Murder charges have been laid against a third individual—a 17-year-old male—in relation to the February murders of two men and two women on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation. On December 10 police officers with Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit and Indian Head RCMP Detachment executed a search warrant at a residence on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation with the assistance of officers from File Hills First Nations Police Service. RCMP officers arrested a 17-year-old male youth at the residence. The youth can not be identified as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The youth has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder in relation to the deaths of Tracey Hotomani, Sheldon Quewezance, Shauna Fay and Terry Jack. The youth is...
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