Ontario First Nation declares state of emergency over gang and addiction crises
The Canadian Press-A northern Ontario First Nation declared a state of emergency Tuesday over concurrent crises involving crime, gang activity, addiction and mental health problems that have plagued the community for years. Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nation has asked the province and the federal government for policing and mental health help, Chief Louis Kwissiwa said at a news conference at Queen’s Park. “Organized crime and drug trafficking has created an ever-growing crisis in our community,” Kwissiwa said. “Addiction, violence, and trauma is spreading. Overdoses are increasing. Mental health crises are pushing our resources to their breaking point.” The First Nation, about 350 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is $5 million in debt after trying for several years to fix the problems, the chief said. They’ve installed security cameras, bought...
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The Wolastoqey Nations and N.B. government to meet at negotiating table on title claim, tax agreements
By Nathalie Sturgeon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The New Brunswick government and the Wolastoqey Nations of New Brunswick have met and agreed to reinstate previous existing tax agreements while new ones are negotiated. It also comes as both sides pause litigation in the Aboriginal title claim in favour of negotiation outside the courts. “The Chiefs reiterated that negotiation is their preferred way to respect their Rights and account for other interests,” the release from WNNB said. “The first step to rebuilding a trusting and transformative Nation-to-Nation relationship is sitting down at the table in a respectful, equitable, and solutions-oriented way. Today’s meeting is a good first step down a long journey of reconciliation.” Tax agreements between the former Progressive Conservative government and Wolastoqey Nations were terminated. “The agreements had been...
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Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay calls public meeting to discuss recent public safety report
By Evan Careen Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay said he’s happy to see the recommendations outlined in a recent public safety review of his community, but he also questions some of the report’s findings. George Andrews, who has served as mayor of the central Labrador town since 2021, told The Independent town council was given a “quick and dirty” overview of the report, written by the provincial government-appointed Policing Transformation Working Group, before it was released to the public and media in late October. Then, on Nov. 6, the province announced a $20-million public safety investment that includes five new RCMP officers for Happy Valley-Goose Bay, citing recommendations from the Policing Transformation Working Group’s report. While Andrews and others on council agree with much of...
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Cree Youth Summit bridges generations to help shape the future
The Cree Youth Summit brought the Cree School Board and Cree Nation Youth Council to Montreal October 16. The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cree Nation Government on how they will work together during the event, called “Building Bridges: Shaping Futures”. “My favourite part of working for Cree youth regionally is seeing how one idea becomes a big reality,” shared CNYC special projects coordinator Tania Richmond. “I remember a youth passing a resolution at the CNYC AGA in 2023 requesting an MOU. Here it is being signed today as a commitment to work together to support student youth councils. The future gets brighter the more we empower our current young leaders now!” The agreement will enable the CSB to better understand the services and improvements needed...
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FWFN opposes Kakabeka generating station redevelopment
FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION — A $200 million project to modernize the Kakabeka Falls Generating Station has drawn opposition from Fort William First Nation. Chief Michele Solomon said Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has not completed any archaeological fieldwork at the Kakabeka Falls Generating Station site. According to the first nation, there is a non-Indigenous cemetery on the property. They are concerned about the potential for artifacts and other potential finds at the site, which has cultural and historical significance. Solomon told Dougall Media thats the “refurbishment” of the generating station is a misnomer because “it’s really a completely new project.” “They are leaving a building standing as a heritage site,” Solomon said. “By that action, that allows for them to go around certain responsibilities they would have if they didn’t...
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Tories call on Boissoneault to resign amid apology over Indigenous ancestry claims
The Canadian Press-Members of Parliament returned to Ottawa on Monday after a weeklong break with no sign of a resolution to the House stalemate, tempers ramped back up, and renewed calls for a Liberal cabinet minister to resign — or be fired. The House of Commons has been mired in a filibuster for nearly two months now, as the Conservatives demand the government hand over documents to the RCMP in a case of alleged government misspending on a green technology fund. That continued Monday but in question period Conservative attention shifted to Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault, who three days ago apologized for not being more clear about his Indigenous identity. He previously referred to himself as a “non-status adopted Cree” and said his great-grandmother was a “full-blooded Cree woman.” He...
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‘Building the business model’ for road and port project
The Grays Bay Road and Port project, which stretches from the Northwest Passage to near Kugluktuk, has entered the next stage of development. “There are several things going on here in parallel,” said Brendan Bell, CEO for proponent West Kitikmeot Resources Corporation. “[Last year] was really about proponent transfer, from KIA [Kitikmeot Inuit Association] to West Kitikmeot Resources; 2024 is about stakeholder engagement, community engagement, discussing the project with regulators and stakeholders and allowed us to confirm the project scope… We needed to update and confirm project scope, so we did that. “We also filed with regulators,” Bell continued. “Now we’re waiting to hear back from regulators. They could say one of two things: this should go to environmental assessment — now we’ve recommended it go to environmental assessment (EA)....
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Travel Nunavut brings back awards ceremony at annual conference
By Kira Wronska Dorward Local Journalism Initiative Travel Nunavut held its annual conference in Iqaluit from Nov. 6-8 and set aside some of that time to recognize extraordinary achievement. After two days of panel discussions, professional development courses and presentations covering the organization’s strategic plan, the importance of the cultural sector, community engagement and the future of the travel industry in the territory, attendees enjoyed an awards ceremony. “The conference aims to highlight the critical role that travel plays as a lifeline for the communities within the region,” said this year’s new Travel Nunavut president, Alex Stubbing. “The conference’s holistic approach to tourism development reflects the complexities inherent in the Arctic environment.” The evening began with an adventure film and presentation by Sarah MacNair Landry and Erik Boomer, airing a...
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$375M announced for Indigenous-led conservation in Northwest Territories
The Canadian Press-K’ahsho Got’ine guardians Twyla Edgi-Masuzumi, John Tobac and Buddy Gully pulled more than 300 fish out of the waters last week, distributing them to community members in the Northwest Territories who often struggle with the high cost of food. “It’s very expensive to live here … There’s a lot of people struggling out here,” said Edgi-Masuzumi. Gathering food for communities is just the start of the work they do: they locate missing boaters, help with hide tanning and language camps, started their own water-monitoring initiative and are working to revitalize the trails their ancestors used to travel on. “They’ve walked thousands and thousands of miles, and just having that feeling of walking in their footsteps is amazing,” Edgi-Masuzumi said. But their work through the Indigenous Guardians program, while...
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Squamish Nation designers showcase empowering collections at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week
By Abby Luciano Local Jouranlism Initiative Reporter Every piece of clothing tells a story. Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Chief Chepximiya Siyam (Janice George) carefully wove mountain goat wool together for hours to create a hood as worn by her grandfather when he received his ancestral name. George’s work is just one of the pieces featured at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW) from Nov. 20 to 23. Nearly 30 designers will have their collections on the runway, each telling a story that reflects identity, land and community through art. “I think it’s really special,” George said. “That’s probably the most meaningful piece, they all are. When you’re weaving, you’re putting your energy and love, whatever you’re feeling at the time.” This year marks George’s second time in the fashion show. George...
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Sudbury companies can tap into Ontario’s gold rush, chamber told
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is planning to spend billions developing gold mines in Ontario – a fact that should benefit mining services and supply companies based in Sudbury. That’s one of the messages Andre Leite, Ontario vice president of Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, brought to a Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce President’s Series Luncheon last week. Agnico Eagle’s business is gold production and Sudbury is the home base for Leite. His company is recognized globally for its leading environmental, social and governance practices. “We are by far the largest gold-producing company in Canada,” Leite said in an interview. “We take a leadership role in conversations to realize our full potential. We are the largest gold producer in Canada and third largest in the world. “The merger of equals, with Kirkland...
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Attorney general asks First Nations to pause legal fight
By John Chilibeck Local Journalism Initiative New Brunswick’s attorney general says he’s calling off the lawyers who were hired by the provincial government to fight Aboriginal title claims in court. Fulfilling a promise made by the Liberals during the election campaign, Rob McKee announced in a news release on Monday his office had instructed lawyers representing the provincial government that in most cases involving questions of Aboriginal title or treaty rights, they are to seek consent from counsel representing First Nations to pause all litigation while the two sides pursue negotiated settlements. It’s a marked departure from the previous Progressive Conservative government led by Blaine Higgs, which fought tooth and nail over the last several years to challenge the First Nations’ claims for all New Brunswick’s territory. Higgs had warned...
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Federal Offender Wanted on Canada Wide Warrant
John Francis Curtin is Wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant (HAMILTON, ON) – The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of a breach of his Statutory Release. John Francis Curtin is described as a 69 year old Caucasian male, 5’10” (178cm), 150 lbs (68 kgs) with long grey/brown hair and hazel eyes and usually has facial hair (grey beard). CURTAIN has a noticeable Scar on his nose. John Francis Curtin is serving a 5 year, 1 month and 20 day sentence for; Armed Robbery x2 Robbery x2 Possess Weapon or Imitation Break and Enter x4 Theft Over x4 Theft Under x2 Used Forged Document Forgery Possession of Property Obtained...
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Ontario tables bill that bans supervised consumption sites near schools, daycares
The Canadian Press-Ontario tabled a bill Monday that aims to shutter 10 supervised consumption sites the government deems too close to schools and daycares. The bill, if passed by Premier Doug Ford’s majority Progressive Conservative government, would also require municipalities to get the health minister’s approval to apply for an exemption from the federal government to launch new supervised consumption sites. Health Minister Sylvia Jones said there is no situation in which she would approve a new one anywhere in the province. “I want to be very clear, there will be no further safe injection sites in the province of Ontario under our government,” Jones said at a news conference about the bill. Previously, municipalities could apply directly to the federal government for consumption site approval and the province would...
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New Zealand’s founding treaty is at a flashpoint. Why are thousands protesting for Māori rights?
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A proposed law that would redefine New Zealand’s founding treaty between the British Crown and Māori chiefs has triggered political turmoil and a march by thousands of people the length of the country to Parliament to protest it. The bill is never expected to become law. But it has become a flashpoint on race relations and a critical moment in the fraught 180-year-old conversation about how New Zealand should honor its promises to Indigenous people when the country was colonized -– and what those promises are. Thousands of people were gathering in the capital, Wellington, on Tuesday morning for the final stretch of the weeklong protest — a march through the city streets to Parliament. It follows a Māori tradition of hīkoi, or walking, to...
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No home for new books in Kahnawake
By Miriam Lafontaine Local Journalism Initiative Well over 1,000 books were recently donated to the Kahnawake library. Unfortunately for community members, those 78 boxes of books remain locked up at the old water filtration plant across from the hospital, as the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) has yet to open a temporary location to re-open the essential service missing since the summer. The generous donation of books came out of an Orange Shirt Day initiative organized by Canada’s Privy Council Office (PCO) in late September. The week-long book drive in Ottawa came together thanks to Todd Kuiack, the Indigenous champion there. “I thought perhaps we could get one book for every employee that works here at the Privy Council Office, and we certainly exceeded that,” Kuiack said. Both he and...
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Northern Ontario First Nation says yes in referendum on possible nuclear waste site
The Canadian Press-A northern Ontario First Nation has decided it is willing to continue with the process to potentially become host to a deep geological repository for Canada’s nuclear waste. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization plans to select a site this year where millions of bundles of used nuclear fuel will be placed in a network of underground rooms connected by cavernous tunnels. The process for the $26-billion project has already been narrowed down to two far-apart sites, and the organization has said it would require approval from both the municipality and the local First Nation. The town council of Ignace, between Thunder Bay and Kenora, voted in favour earlier this year, and its counterpart Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation has now also voted yes. The First Nation says in a...
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Quebec party supports member who accused fellow politicians of denigrating minorities
The Canadian Press-A Quebec political party has voted to support one of its members facing backlash for saying that racialized people are regularly disparaged at the provincial legislature. Québec solidaire members adopted an emergency resolution at the party’s convention late Sunday condemning the hate directed at Haroun Bouazzi, without endorsing his comments. Bouazzi, who represents a Montreal riding, had told a community group that he hears comments every day at the legislature that portray North African, Muslim, Black or Indigenous people as the “other,” and that paint their cultures are dangerous or inferior. Other political parties have said Bouazzi’s remarks labelled elected officials as racists, and the co-leaders of his own party had rebuked him for his “clumsy and exaggerated” comments. Bouazzi, who has said he never intended to describe...
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Immigration pilot targets rural municipalities
An immigration pilot program designed to bring labour to rural areas has been announced in a partnership between the Province of Manitoba and several Westman municipalities. The province on Friday announced a three-year pilot called the West-Central Immigration Initiative, in which the province will partner with seven rural municipalities and Gambler First Nation to address labour market needs and stimulate economic growth, the province said. “By working together, we’re responding to the local needs for skilled workers in rural Manitoba and ensuring Manitoba continues to be a welcoming province,” said Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino. The estimate is that between 240 to 300 people will be needed to meet labour needs in the next three years. This is according to a survey of 85 employers in the region and...
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Nova Scotia senator wants to help Nunavut as Senate vacancy lingers
By Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Nunatsiaq News While Nunavut’s sole Senate seat remains vacant, a Nova Scotia senator hopes to help Nunavummiut in the upper chamber on issues such as infrastructure and national defence. Sen. PJ Prosper was in Iqaluit last week for meetings with local and territorial government officials and Inuit organizations. A lawyer, he was appointed to the Senate in 2023 following a lengthy career in Mi’kmaq leadership and governance. “For Mi’kmaq people, we have a word — L’nu — which is inclusive of, certainly, Mi’kmaq people. But all Indigenous people, we consider to be L’nu,” Prosper said in an interview. “I want my work in the Senate to help all L’nu people.” Prosper’s tenure overlapped with the final months of former Nunavut senator Dennis Patterson,...
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