Gwich’in Tribal Council grand chief meets with Trudeau, Poilievre in Ottawa
By Tom Taylor Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Gwich’in Tribal Council Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik recently visited Ottawa to speak with ministers about some of the most important issues facing his people. He ultimately got some unexpected face time with two of the country’s most powerful politicians: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre. “The purpose of the trip actually was to meet with various ministers, parliamentary secretaries and senior staff with a number of departments,” Kyikavichik said shortly after his trip concluded. “While we were there, I was able to attend the Liberal holiday party, where I was able to have a couple moments with the prime minister. “Then also the office of the Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre reached out wanting some time while we were there. It...
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A `wonderful, historical time for women in Dene games’
By Tom Taylor Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The NWT’s Dene games team for the 2024 Arctic Winter Games has been selected, and for the first time ever, an open women’s category will be included. “It’s the first time they’ve had an open women’s category, so it’s quite a historical event,” said Shawna McLeod, one of four women to earn a spot in the new category. “I’m really excited. My sister’s actually representing the Yukon for the Dene games open women category. It’s really cool that we’re able to come together through Dene games again and compete and celebrate this wonderful, historical time for women in Dene games.” Theresa Lynn, another team member, added, “The men had an open males division for I don’t know how many years now, so it...
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Fort Simpson Metis get federal funding for bison processing plant
By Tom Taylor Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Fort Simpson Metis Development Corporation’s plans for a local bison farm and processing facility are closer to fruition after a second cash infusion from the federal government. The project, called Bison Farm to Fork, has received a $705,500 grant as part of its participation in phase two of the Northern Food Innovation Challenge (NFIC). “We are very excited about this food security initiative,” acting Fort Simpson **>Metis<** Development Corporation (FSMDC) president Danny Peterson stated in a news release. “This project has the potential to address food security in our region and provide meaningful employment opportunities _ careers, for our people.” The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) launched the NFIC in 2021, with the objective of addressing the North’s food security challenges...
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NWT named one of the top travel destinations in North America for 2024
“Unmatched stargazing through an Indigenous lens,” By Tom Taylor Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Northwest Territories has been named one of the “best places to go in North America and the Caribbean in 2024” by prominent international travel publication Conde Nast Traveler. “We are very excited as Northwest Territories has been selected as one of the best places to go in North America in 2024 by esteemed travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler,” reads a post on the official Northwest Territories Tourism Facebook account. The Conde Nast Traveler article was published on Nov. 15. It contends that the NWT offers “unmatched stargazing through an Indigenous lens,” and referenced the territory’s world-famous aurora displays, which will be amplified by a phenomenon called solar maximum in 2024. The article also shone a light...
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New guest guidelines circulating after MPs applauded man who fought for Nazis
By Mickey Djuric THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA- Speaker Greg Fergus is looking to implement new guidelines for recognizing certain guests in the House of Commons, after MPs stood twice to applaud a man without knowing he had fought for a Nazi unit. Draft guidelines on the recognition of guests during a joint address of Parliament have been circulated to all House leaders and other officers of Parliament, said Mathieu Gravel, a spokesperson for Fergus. “Feedback will be incorporated before the Speaker shares these guidelines with members,” he said in a statement. House leaders did not provide details of the draft guidelines, and Gravel said he cannot say more at this time. Yaroslav Hunka, who fought for the Waffen-SS Galicia Division, a voluntary unit created by the Nazis to help fight...
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Residents of Iceland village near volcano that erupted are allowed to return home
By Marco Dimarco THE ASSOCIATED PRESS GRINDAVIK, Iceland (AP)- Residents of the small Icelandic fishing village near where a volcano erupted were told Friday they could return home. The regional police chief said residents, business owners and employees could enter Grindavik beginning Saturday and could stay overnight. The town of 3,800 near Iceland’s main airport was evacuated Nov. 10 when a strong swarm of earthquakes led to cracks and openings in the earth between the town and S?lingarfell, a small mountain to the north. The volcano finally erupted Monday, spewing semi-molten rock in a spectacular show that lit up the night sky. Scientists said Thursday that the eruption had stopped, though pressure could start building far beneath it once again. They said the lava flow spread across an area of 3.7...
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Re elected Tattuinee sees opportunities
By Stewart Burnett Local Journalism Initiative Reporter “Very excited, bit overwhelming, kind of unbelievable,” were the first words out of re-elected Kivalliq Inuit Association President Kono Tattuinee when talking to Kivalliq News. “It seemed like we were in kind of a dream. The campaign went pretty much to plan. It was all the hard work between my team and I Tattuinee earned 608 votes to win the Dec. 11 election. Samuel Alagalak received 454 votes while David Kuksuk garnered 381, Ross Tatty 367 and Patterk Netser 245. One resounding message Tattuinee heard on the campaign trail was the need for a boarding home, as well as interest in the Kivalliq Inuit Association’s legacy fund. Tattuinee said the KIA will be touring communities and asking what their needs are. “We have...
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High expectations, tight budget pose a challenge for Manitoba’s new premier
By Steve Lambert THE CANADIAN PRESS WINNIPEG- By all accounts, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is still in a honeymoon phase, almost three months after leading his New Democrats to an election win that ousted the former Progressive Conservative government. Recent opinion polls suggest he is riding high, including an Angus-Reid survey earlier this month that suggested his approval rating is tops among Canada’s premiers. But political analysts say the real test lies ahead, as Kinew tries to fulfil promises to boost health care, improve education and give raises to public-sector workers while dealing with the province’s chronic deficits. “I think (the New Democrats) have done a number of things to allow them to say they’re off to a good fast start, but many of those things have been of a...
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Sharing Our Stories: Little paper / Ken’ nikahiatonhsera:’a
Story told by: So:se Raientonnis, Edited by: Emma McLaughlin – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Translated by: Sahawiso:ko’ Arquette The Indian agent in Canada was like a monarch. He was the justice of the peace, he could hold court, pass judgment and so on. Everything had to go through him. Any kind of resolution the band council passed in Kahnawa:ke used to have to go to the Indian Agent’s office for approval. If he approved it, he would sign it and send it to Ottawa. If he disapproved it, it didn’t pass. They had a lot of say in the reserve. I think there were three agents altogether. The first Indian agent was in 1821, then he was replaced by some man named LeTourneau. After LeTourneau left, Brisebois came in in...
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Norfolk council puts off Indigenous acknowledgment
By J.P. Antonacci Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Despite being just down the road from Canada’s most populous First Nation, Norfolk County does not officially acknowledge the past and present contributions of Indigenous peoples. One councillor wants to change that. But Tom Masschaele’s efforts to institute an Indigenous acknowledgment have thus far been stymied by a council afraid of the legal repercussions of formally recognizing Norfolk’s neighbours from Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit and beyond. “I believe we have a duty to work toward truth and reconciliation _ not just on Orange Shirt Day, but every day,” Masschaele said of his push to recognize “the historical and current contributions of Indigenous Peoples throughout Canada, and particularly in Norfolk County, that have added to the rich cultural and...
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Green gifts a way to conserve species, landscapes
Miranda Leybourne Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Nature Conservancy of Canada is encouraging shoppers to think green this holiday season and give a gift of conservation that will last well into the future. Through the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC) 28th annual green gifts program, shoppers can symbolically adopt a species or a landscape across the country. For six decades now, the NCC, a non-profit organization that works with individuals, First Nations, communities, businesses and governments, has worked to conserve plants, animals and over 15 million hectares of natural landscapes. Through the symbolic adoption of a species or landscapes, people can support NCC to conserve critical habitats and ensure a future for a species that is at risk. The funds gathered through the gifting program will also help to build...
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Feds mark eight year anniversary of TRC report
By Marc Lalonde Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The federal ministers responsible for Indigenous portfolios weighed in on the eighth anniversary of the groundbreaking report issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its corresponding Calls to Action. “We are taking steps toward nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationships to support Indigenous Peoples to achieve self-determination,” said Crown-Indigenous Relations minister Gary Anandasangaree, Indigenous Services minister Patty Hajdu and Northern Affairs minister Daniel Vandal. The ministers said truth must be the first thing considered when implementing those Calls to Action over the last eight years_ including coming to terms with the shameful Residential Schools policies of the past. “Truth must come before reconciliation,” they said. “We are reminded of this fact as communities across the country continue the painful work at former Residential...
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One step closer for Metis Local 1990 receiving land from Grande Prairie
By Jesse Boily Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The City of Grande Prairie will enter negotiations with Metis Local 1990 about transferring the land on which its elder caring centre sits. The building is owned by the Metis local, but the city owns the land. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Metis Local 1990 president Shannon Dunfield. She said transferring the land to the Metis Local 1990 will help with future planning for the Elder Caring Shelter. “It’s (elder shelter) been in the community for 20 years, and it’s a service that’s needed, and we want to keep going with it, and I think this transfer will be able to help us do that.” Coun. Gladys Blackmore said she has long been a supporter of the Metis Local 1990 owning...
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‘Very different Christmas’ for those affected by B.C. wildfires this season
By The Canadian Press British Columbia’s 2023 wildfires were a life-changing disaster for many, and their impact has echoed into the holiday season. The fire season was already breaking records by mid-August when forecasters warned that dry lightning and strong winds on the way were a recipe for catastrophe. Thousands were forced to leave in the southern Interior ahead of fast-moving wildfires. Fire officials described a ferocious fight to save homes, but hundreds were burned to their foundations in the Okanagan and Shuswap regions. From fire chiefs, to those who lost their homes, to Pumba the pig, here’s how some affected by the emergency are spending their holiday season: ___ ‘I DON’T THINK WE’VE EVER BEEN STRONGER’ Paul Zydowicz is among 13 members of the Wilson’s Landing Fire Department who...
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Canadian Rangers training expands in Eeyou Istchee
By Patrick Quinn Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Canadian Rangers Patrol Group visited Cree communities in November to conduct several training sessions. Following a week of exercises in Nemaska, there was an opening ceremony and basic military indoctrination for the organization’s 29th patrol in Ouje-Bougoumou. Quebec’s Canadian Ranger program was first established in 1997, consisting largely of Indigenous members, to provide a military presence in the North for sovereignty protection and emergency preparedness. “I’m the sergeant in 1/8Nemaska 3/8 and we try to get as many Rangers as are available,” said Clarence Jason Jolly. “I like that they integrate our traditional knowledge and practices into the training. Ice rescue training to save someone from hypothermia was especially beneficial to refresh our knowledge and skills.” The Nemaska patrol group began in...
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‘Diminished’ hope: Yellowhead Institute to end reports on TRC calls to action
By Alessia Passafiume THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA- Canada has been so slow to carry out recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that an Indigenous-led think tank says it has decided to stop publishing an annual report tracking its progress. “At first, the project invoked hope and determination. If only the Canadian public knew about their government’s lack of action, we believed, perhaps things would change,” said the annual report from the Yellowhead Institute, a research and education centre based at Toronto Metropolitan University. “That hope, as those who have followed us on this journey may have noticed, has begun to diminish in the fifth year of this project.” The Truth and Reconciliation Commission spent years investigating and documenting the history, and lasting harms, of church-operated, government-funded residential schools that...
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Qapik Attagutsiak, last survivor of Inuit war effort and beloved elder, dies at 103
By Bob Weber THE CANADIAN PRESS Qapik Attagutsiak was already a young woman in 1940, a mother at ease on the land and a skilled midwife, when she heard about a conflict occurring among many people in faraway lands. Qapik, who preferred using that name in the Inuit tradition, was hunting walrus with her family near Foxe Basin when the local Catholic priest told her about battles being fought by men jumping from planes. “Inuit are afraid to kill other people,” Qapik told a Parks Canada interviewer in 2018. “We were afraid that our husbands would be killed if they encountered anyone who had jumped from an airplane. We would think that they will never come back.” No paratroops landed in what is now Nunavut during the Second World War....
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CP NewsAlert: Record shattering 2023 wildfires voted Canadian news story of the year
HALIFAX -The wildfires that disrupted the lives of thousands of Canadians, and shattered records for the amount of forest burned, have been voted The Canadian Press story of the year. An unusually mild and dry winter in much of the country set the stage for an unprecedented season that led to 200,000 people fleeing their homes. The fires consumed an area three times the size of Nova Scotia, more than doubling the previous record set in 1995. From Halifax to British Columbia to Yellowknife, Canadians were forced from their homes as the fires burned, and the resulting smoke made for hazardous air conditions far from the flames. Six firefighters in B.C. died, including four killed in a road crash as they returned home from a two-week deployment. The wildfire story...
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Nunavut Arctic College students build a home in Rankin Inlet
By Stewart Burnett Local Journalism Initiative Reporter There’s a new public housing unit on the block in Rankin Inlet, and though it won’t solve the housing crisis alone, the initiative represents a collaborative effort to give students real-world experience and tackle the Nunavut 3,000 challenge together. “It’s not just building a house,” said Albert Netser, dean of technology and trades with Nunavut Arctic College (NAC). “It’s building our people.” The project saw approximately 40 students play a role in the three-bedroom house build from start to finish. The unit, located in Rankin Inlet’s old town, was officially transferred to the Nunavut Housing Corporation Tuesday, Dec. 19. Students in the Sanatuliqsarvik Nunavut Trades Training Centre Apprenticeship Program received mentorship and experience that many don’t have a chance to acquire without such...
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Merry Christmas from Turtle Island News
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