Carney, premiers kick off meeting with First Nations leaders in Ottawa
By Alessia Passafiume and Kyle Duggan As First Nations leaders sat down with Prime Minister Mark Carney and some of the premiers Monday for their first face-to-face meeting in decades, young people protesting outside were demanding a seat at the table. In her opening remarks at the meeting in Ottawa, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said First Nations have to be part of the discussion when decisions about the federal government’s major projects agenda are being made. “That is why we are here, to build prosperity and well-being for our children and the next seven generations,” she said. “It can’t just be about ramming through major projects as fast as we can.” Monday’s meeting is the first such gathering since the Kelowna Accord talks of 2005,...
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Six Nations planning for Christmas
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) will spend $66,906 for two senior Christmas dinners in December, following strong attendance and a long wait list at last year’s holiday gathering. The events, organized through the Senior Support Hub with support from the Department of Wellbeing and Social Services, will offer community members ages 55 and older a sit-down holiday meal, music, entertainment and gifts. Organizers also plan to provide meal deliveries for seniors unable to attend in person and include residents of Iroquois Lodge. Debra Jonathan, CEO told SNEC at the General Finance meeting on October 19 that last year’s event, held at Mont Hill, attracted nearly 400 seniors in a single day, with additional community members left on a wait list. “This year we don’t want to have to turn anybody...
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Six Nations ‘Indian Hospital’ survivors part of engagement process to establish Indian Hospitals Foundation
Six Nations of the Grand River (SNGR) is part of a cross-country engagement process that will help to inform the establishment of a new $385.5 million non-profit foundation for survivors of Indian hospitals and their family members. On Oct. 20, the Indian Hospitals Foundation Engagement Outreach Team invited Six Nations survivors, families, intergenerational survivors, and community members to attend a private engagement session to share their stories and ideas regarding the establishment of the foundation. “This non-profit foundation would do all sorts of ‘non-compensation’ things. So, in other words, set up programs or healing services for former patients, create curriculum schools for young people to learn, look at commemoration, maybe develop a museum or something like that,” said Dr. Mike DeGagné who is leading the foundation’s engagement process. “So, there...
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Editorial: A long road ahead
Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) long awaited land claim trial is continuing this week. And, interestingly enough Haudenosaunee oral history is being played out as part of SNEC’s claim to land rights at Grand River. The testimony itself is revealing since all of it is based on a time period prior to the existence of the elected council, a political machinery imposed by the Canadian government, you remember them, the guys they are actually fighting in court. So, it shouldn’t come as any surprise when community members become confused about who’s history is being played out, who the characters are and why SNEC uses a political history that political system cannot call its own. Of course, it is a lot simpler for Canada and Ontario to take on SNEC. SNEC...
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Today in History
Oct 28 In 2012, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook the north-central coast of British Columbia in the Haida Gwaii area. Tsunami warnings were issued along the B.C. coast and as far away as Hawaii, though there were no reports of major damage. Oct 29 In 2021, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization was now recommending booster shots of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for people who received two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. It was also recommending boosters for adults over the age of 70, front-line health-care workers with a short interval between their first two doses, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. In 2021, the federal government appealed a ruling that ordered Ottawa to compensate First Nations children removed from their homes — but said the parties had agreed to...
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Nunavut Inuit assocation ‘a billion dollar organization’: new CEO
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) is managing $1.35 billion, according to its new CEO, Navarana Beveridge. Beveridge announced the latest figure at NTI’s annual general meeting in Kugluktuk on Oct. 21. ‘We can now say that NTI is a billion-dollar organization,” she said. “I started with Inuit organizations over 20 years ago, and I had not imagined to be able to say that today. But I do think that there’s a need to change how we work. I think we’re now less advocacy and more results-oriented in our approach.” The money is held across three accounts: Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation, a resource revenue trust from mining royalties, and one just labelled ‘NTI.’ Nunavut’s largest Inuit organization can work alongside governments in...
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After 35 years, Susan Aglukark is still finding new ways to tell her story
By Chevi Rabbit, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News For Susan Aglukark, a career in music has become a journey of discovery, connecting Inuit identity, cultural history and healing. The Inuk singer-songwriter and author also supports Northern Indigenous youth through the Arctic Rose Foundation, using arts and culture to create opportunities for connection and mentorship. As she looks ahead to new music and another instalment in her Una Huna? book series, Aglukark reflects on her career, the importance of Indigenous-led organizations and protecting the connection between Indigenous people and the land. Staying the course Aglukark moved from Nunavut to Ontario in 1988 to start a new chapter of her life. She released Arctic Rose in 1992 before signing a record deal and releasing her breakthrough album, This Child, in...
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Six Nations Stars split first two matches
By Sam Laskaris Writer Things could have gone just a bit better. But the Six Nations Stars are still relatively pleased with how things transpired in their first two matches of the 2026-27 season. The Stars are in their second season of operations and compete in the South Western Ontario Women’s Hockey League. The Norfolk Hericanes, the defending league champs, eked out a 4-3 victory over the host Stars this past Friday. That match was held at the Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Centre. The Stars then hit the road on Sunday and blanked the host Woodstock Wildcats in a match at Embro Arena. “Although it would have been good to get the win in both games there were a lot of positives to take away from our home...
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Ironmen extend undefeated streak to four games
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Ironmen are on a bit of a roll. Yes, it is still early in their second season of competing in the Northern Premier Hockey League. But the Ironmen have had a torrid start and are now sporting a perfect 4-0 record. The local Senior A men’s squad kept up their winning ways this past weekend with a pair of convincing victories over the Woodstock Lakers. For starters the Six Nations club hit the road on Saturday and defeated the host Lakers 7-3. The Ironmen then thumped the visiting Woodstock team 12-3 in a match held Sunday afternoon at the Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Centre. “We’re doing pretty good right now,” Ironmen assistant captain Steve LaForme said shortly after Sunday’s tilt. LaForme...
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Athletes and coaches honoured at national sports gala
By Sam Laskaris Writer Many of the country’s top Indigenous athletes converged in Ottawa on Saturday to be recognized for their achievements with awards honouring a Six Nations legendary figure. The National Indigenous Sports Gala featured regional and the national Tom Longboat Award recipients. The Tom Longboat Awards are annually presented by the Aboriginal Sport Circle, the country’s governing body for Indigenous athletics. They are named after the famous Six Nations long-distance runner, who won the 1907 Boston Marathon and also competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics. The regional winners at Saturday’s gala were representing their province or territory. And they were all eligible for the national award as well. The national recipients ended up being luger Trinity Ellis, a Métis Nation British Columbia citizen who has represented Canada in...
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Carney is looking at changing the Indian Act. Here’s what you need to know
By Alessia Passafiume It’s one of the most important laws in Canada’s history, it’s widely loathed by the people it affects — and most Canadians know little about it. The Indian Act, which dates from 1876, gives Ottawa sweeping powers over First Nations communities and people, including the authority to decide who qualifies for status and what reserves can and can’t do. While the law is heavily criticized by First Nations leaders and people, it also protects reserve lands. Status under the Indian Act entitles people to certain health and social services. On Monday, during a historic gathering of federal, provincial and First Nations leaders in Ottawa, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew pitched the idea of abolishing the Indian Act. Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “very open to” the...
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First Nations have ‘every right’ to be skeptical of major projects office: Farrell
By Nick Murray The head of the federal government’s major projects office said Tuesday First Nations have “every right” to be skeptical of her office’s intentions, elaborating on comments she made at the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations two weeks ago. Dawn Farrell took an hour’s worth of questions from MPs on the House of Commons environment committee Tuesday. Her committee appearance happened two weeks after she addressed the B.C. chiefs. Many of those chiefs were frustrated over what they said was a lack of consultation on whether Canada should designate the Pacific Link pipeline as a project of national interest. Prime Minister Mark Carney designated the project — a new oil pipeline from Alberta to the southern B.C. coast — on Oct. 1. Some chiefs said they were...
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Regis Korchinski-Paquet’s mother questions purpose of coroner’s inquest
By Paola Loriggio Regis Korchinski-Paquet’s mother questioned the purpose of a coroner’s inquest examining the circumstances of her daughter’s death as well as the video and audio evidence presented in it, as lawyers for several police officers pressed her Tuesday to clarify what she saw that day. Claudette Beals was again shown excerpts of a video combining security footage from the hallway outside the apartment with audio from a police microphone as she resumed her testimony at the inquest. Last week, Beals testified she saw police push her daughter toward the balcony, causing the inquest to halt for several hours as counsel for the parties figured out how to move forward. A lawyer representing one of the officers who was in the apartment when Korchinski-Paquet went over the balcony cross-examined...
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Nunavut Inuit association puts $41 million in federal funds into health and wellness over five years
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Nunavummiut Inuit will get an additional $40.8 million in health and wellness funding on top of federal government-provided healthcare funding between April 1, 2027, and March 31, 2032. Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) has allocated the additional money provided by the Government of Canada, the land claims organization announced on Oct. 21. Maternal and child health, midwifery, mental health, crisis response teams, addictions and trauma treatment are among the areas being funded over the next five years. Non-profits organizations and culturally-grounded programs through the Umingmak Centre, for clients who experienced child abuse; fetal alcohol spectrum disorder group Piruqatigiit Resource Centre; and the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre will receive the funding. NTI President Gloria Uluqsi said she wants the funding “to support...
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Regis Korchinski-Paquet’s mother questions purpose of coroner’s inquest
By Paola Loriggio Regis Korchinski-Paquet’s mother questioned the purpose of a coroner’s inquest examining the circumstances of her daughter’s death as well as the video and audio evidence presented in it, as lawyers for several police officers pressed her Tuesday to clarify what she saw that day. Claudette Beals was again shown excerpts of a video combining security footage from the hallway outside the apartment with audio from a police microphone as she resumed her testimony at the inquest. Last week, Beals testified she saw police push her daughter toward the balcony, causing the inquest to halt for several hours as counsel for the parties figured out how to move forward. A lawyer representing one of the officers who was in the apartment when Korchinski-Paquet went over the balcony cross-examined...
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Canada’s oceans envoy meets with QIA in Iqaluit to discuss marine protection
By Daron Letts, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Canada’s new Ocean Envoy Diana Fox Carney, spouse of Prime Minister Mark Carney, talked marine conservation and economic opportunity with Qikiqtani Inuit Association representatives during a 24-hour visit to Iqaluit this week. “The message I hear, very strongly obviously, is that care for the ocean and the importance of preserving livelihoods and cultural approaches and conservation objectives are critical,” she said during an interview at the Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium offices on Tuesday. “And they must be balanced with effective economic engagement around ocean resources.” Fox Carney was named to the volunteer position in September by Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson. In the role she will chair the 12th Our Ocean Conference in Halifax in May 2027. The international invitation-only...
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New wildfire management model aims to empower First Nations in Northern Ontario
By Carrie Ivardi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SNnewswatch.com GULL BAY — A new wildfire management model in Northern Ontario aims to put First Nations communities in a position to train and support each other, but facilitators of the program say experienced firefighters will be needed to lead the work until the model can become fully Indigenous-led. “The goal of the model is to provide First Nations with an ability to grow their knowledge in wildfires so that if an emergency comes, they’re better trained than not trained at all, but not to make them instant firefighters,” Simón Bermudez said. Bermudez is the lead instructor of wildfire training with a company out of B.C. called Carmanah Wildfire, a partner of the International Wildfire Alliance (IWA). He was at Kab Lake Lodge...
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Six Nations Police temporarily suspending use of Crime Stoppers Program
OHSWEKEN, ON, October 27, 2026 – The Six Nations Police Service (SNPS) has joined the Brantford Police Service in suspending its use of the Crime Stoppers program after reports of a cybersecurity breach involving Crime Stoppers data. SNPS said their decision to suspend the use of the service “reflects the importance of protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and anonymity of individuals who come forward with information, which are essential to maintaining public confidence in programs like Crime Stoppers and supporting effective police investigations.” SNPS said it is remaining in contact with Brant-Brantford Crime Stoppers and will “monitor the situation as the organization’s privacy and security measures are assessed.” SNPS said because Crime Stoppers operates independently of the Six Nations Police Service, members of the public “seeking further information regarding the reported...
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Bearspaw First Nation breaks ground on new subdivision
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook ÎYARHE NAKODA – Shovels hit the dirt on a new subdivision west of the Mînî Thnî townsite that will provide homes for up to 100 Bearspaw First Nation members. Leaders of Bearspaw Nation, one of three bands that make up the Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation, say the subdivision addresses a growing need for housing in the community. “What we’re trying to achieve is … a more prosperous, safer community,” said Bearspaw First Nation Chief Darcy Dixon at a groundbreaking and pipe ceremony on Tuesday (Oct. 20) that marked the start of construction on the project. Phase 1 will see the construction of utilities, roads and two cul-de-sacs that will service 19 residential lots. “I think it’s going to help...
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Carney says Ottawa’s Indian Act review might not end up abolishing the law
Prime Minister Mark Carney says a process to review the Indian Act won’t necessarily lead to the controversial legislation’s termination. The Indian Act gives Ottawa sweeping powers over First Nations communities and people, including the authority to determine who qualifies for recognition and what reserves can and can’t do. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called for the repeal of the Indian Act during a rare meeting of federal, provincial and First Nations leaders in Ottawa on Monday. Carney, who said he was open to reforming or abolishing the act on Monday, says today that Ottawa’s process to determine the legislation’s future has no “fixed conclusion.” He says the federal government will work with First Nations and the provinces to review the Indian Act and suggest possible replacements for it. While most...
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