Saskatchewan Signs Agreement in Principle for residential school compensation
By Carol Baldwin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Wakaw Recorder Île-à-la-Crosse, Saskatchwan-On Monday, September 29, 2025, a historic event took place in Île-à-la-Crosse, in northern Saskatchewan. Premier Moe, together with survivors of the Île-à-la-Crosse Residential School that operated in the community from the 1860s until the 1970s, signed an Agreement in Principle for compensation relating to the wrongs committed by the residential school system. The Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School Steering Committee Inc. is composed of 12 board members representing 20 communities in Northwest Saskatchewan, including but not limited to Île-à-la-Crosse, La Loche, Beauval, Patuanak, Pinehouse, Buffalo Narrows, Turner Lake, Jans Bay, Cole Bay, Green Lake, Dore Lake, Sled Lake, Michel Village, Dillon, and Garson. The committee has been actively advocating for Survivors of the Île-à-la-Crosse School for over two decades. Founding members...
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Brantford man facing 15 more charges of human trafficking, child pornography and more
BRANTFORD, ONT- Brantford Police have laid an additional 15 charges of human trafficking, making child pornography and luring a child under 16 years of age against a 32-year-old city man. After receiving more information that the man was in possession of child pornography the Brantford Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) raided a Brantford residence August 19, 2025 and seized multiple computers, cellphones, and electronic devices during the course of the search. ICE unit detectives found evidence of child pornography on the various devices. As a result of the investigation, a 32-year-old man from Brantford was arrested Aug., 19, and held for a bail hearing. The accused was then charged with the following: one charge of Accessing Child Pornography, and two counts of Possession of Child Pornography contrary to the Criminal Code....
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Enbridge CEO urges tanker ban end, says no company will build ‘pipeline to nowhere’
By Lauren Krugel The top executive of Canada’s biggest crude shipper says his company won’t consider devoting anything beyond time and expertise to Alberta’s plan for a West Coast bitumen pipeline unless Ottawa overhauls some major environmental policies. Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel said in a speech to the Empire Club of Canada on Thursday that industry is keen to build and Canada must act urgently if it is to live up to its potential as a global energy player. “The last 10 years have been a competitiveness disaster for Canada. But the next 10 can be a renaissance. If we choose to lead, this is our second chance. One doesn’t often get second chances,” he said. Ebel made his remarks a day after Premier Danielle Smith announced $14 million in...
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Yukoners going to the polls Nov. 3, territory’s premier says
Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton says he will call a territorial election on Friday, setting the vote for the last possible day allowed under the territory’s fixed election legislation. He told supporters in Carcross, Yukon, the election will be held Nov. 3. “We’re kicking things off in Carcross with heart, humility and hope,” he said on Thursday. Pemberton told the crowd that housing is his party’s top priority, while they will also focus on health care, affordability, the economy and First Nations’ partnerships. “We’re heading into this election at a time when things can feel heavy. People are feeling frustrated, they’re divided and they’re tired. But I say don’t lose hope. Our democracy is strong, our territory is strong, and together, we can be stronger still,” he said. The Liberals have...
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Liberal MP says it’s time to stop the clock on daylight time
By Catherine Morrison Liberal member of Parliament Marie-France Lalonde wants to call a halt to the annual ritual of springing forward and falling back. The Ottawa-area MP plans to table a private member’s bill next week to end what she calls the “outdated practice” of daylight time. “It is time to change the time change,” Lalonde told reporters Thursday. “This unnecessary barrier impacts the lives of Canadians in more ways than simply adjusting their clocks.” The bill will call on the federal government to hold a pan-Canadian conference with provincial and territorial officials and Indigenous officials to formalize an agreement to end daylight time. Lalonde cited the negative impacts of the twice annual time change, such as health issues and a spike in the number of vehicle accidents. She also...
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ROPE Squad searching for federal offender on Canada Wide Warrant
KINGSTON, ONT. – The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant, as a result of their statutory release. Malik Mohamed is described as a Black male, 27 years old, six-foot-four (193 cm), 176 lbs (80 kg), with black hair and brown eyes. He is known to frequent the Kingston, Toronto and Durham areas. Mohamed is serving a four-year, six-month and 11-day sentence for aggravated assault, discharging a restricted/prohibited firearm with intent, possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm with ammunition (x2) and failure to comply with conditions of and undertaking/recognizance. Anyone who has been in contact with Mohamed, or has any information regarding his whereabouts, is asked to call 911 or the Provincial ROPE Squad at...
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How is there no office for Indigenous rights complaints?
By Jon Thompson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ricochet Paul Dubé’s historic visit to Neskantaga First Nation in September inspired the Ontario ombudsman to call on the federal and provincial governments to take “immediate action” to address “unacceptable and unsafe conditions” in the fly-in community. But while Dubé’s office seeks to better respond to the human rights complaints of Indigenous people and communities, Canada is responsible for most programs and that puts a response to those concerns out of reach. “There is an ombudsman for every province in Canada and two of the territories,” Dubé said. “There’s a national ombudsman for Ireland, for England, for Japan, for the Netherlands, just about every country has a national ombudsman. In Canada, there should be someone to go to for those federal matters –...
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Four area drivers facing charges
HALDIMAND COUNTY – Haldimand Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested and charged three area drivers with impaired driving over the weekend. OPP said on September 27, 2025, at about 2:10 a.m.,Haldimand OPP on patrol on Highway 6 near Hagersville attempted to conduct a traffic stop after spotting a vehicle “that brought attention to police.” An OPP officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but OPP said, “the vehicle failed to acknowledge the efforts of police. Once the vehicle was stopped, the individual was taken into custody.” Thomas Maracle, 42, of Hagersville has been charged with the following offences: Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus) Drive Motor Vehicle with Open Container of Liquor Fail to Stop for Police Class G1 Licence Holder – Unaccompanied by Qualified Driver He is...
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Ontario communities mobilize against Ford’s fast-track bill
By Abdul Matin Sarfraz Local Journalism Initiative, Canada’s National Observer Ramon Kataquapit travelled hundreds of kilometres from North Bay to Kingston this weekend to join events opposing Bill 5 because he has seen what mining has done to his community. The youth leader from Attawapiskat First Nation says Ontario’s Bill 5, which lets the Ford government fast-track development in the mineral-rich Ring of Fire, could bring the same kind of damage already felt in the James Bay lowlands. “We know the impacts of mining firsthand,” Kataquapit said. “When Doug Ford says First Nations will be well-compensated, we hear rhetoric not reality. We’ve lived through broken agreements, polluted waters and compromised health. That’s why I worry about what Bill 5 will mean for the next generations.” Kataquapit is the founder of...
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Local businesses map out support for Palestine
By J.P. Antonacci, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator Catherine Wiebe said she reacted “viscerally” to the poems in “A Million Kites,” which are adapted from interviews with Palestinian children during the war in Gaza. Within the slender paperback volume are heartbreaking cries of confusion and grief from the war’s youngest victims. “I have four children of my own between two and 13,” Wiebe said in an interview. “To think about the cares of my children and to compare them to the cares of these kids … it’s just so much.” Wiebe runs Firefly and Fox Books in downtown Simcoe, an independent bookstore with a sizeable selection of books written by or about Palestinians. Over the past six months, Wiebe has raised nearly $900 for the Gaza Medical Support...
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Vigil to be held for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A vigil honouring Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls and two-spirit persons (MMIWG2S) will take place ths weekend in Fort St. John. The gathering is scheduled for Saturday, October 4th, recognized as the National Day of Action for MMIWG2S, the second day bringing the issue to the forefront following May’s Red Dress Day. The National Day of Action for MMIWG2S was first recognized in 2006 by the Sisters in Spirit initiative. The event will coincide on the day following the “Understanding Human Rights: In Fort St. John and Beyond” lecture scheduled for the Lido Theatre. According to Statistics Canada, Indigenous women are among the highest rates of preventable deaths. Between 2009 and 2021, 490 women were...
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B.C. Conservatives shuffle critics portfolio after Elenore Sturko ousted
British Columbia’s Conservative Party has shuffled its critic portfolios to fill a hole left by Elenore Sturko, who was ousted from the party last week. Party Leader John Rustad says the changes are to focus “oversight across every ministry,” and includes him taking over as critic for Indigenous relations and reconciliation, a ministry portfolio he once held under the former B.C. Liberal government. Scott McInnis, who was the Indigenous critic, moves to tourism, the Columbia Basin Trust and deputy Indigenous relations critic. Among the highest profile replacements is West Kelowna-Peachland rookie MLA Macklin McCall, who is now critic for the solicitor general and public safety, taking over from Sturko. She is sitting as an Independent MLA after Rustad fired her from caucus hours after he won a leadership review with...
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Tŝilhqot’in Nation extends child care agreement with B.C., Canada
By Andie Mollins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Williams Lake Tribune The Tŝilhqot’in Nation hosted federal and provincial ministers in Williams Lake on Saturday, Sept. 27, to advance the nation’s jurisdiction over its child and family services. The Nitsilʔin-Qi (Council of Chiefs), together with Mandy Gull-Masty, federal minister of Indigenous Services and Jodie Wickens, B.C.’s minister of Children and Family Development, announced the signing of an amendment to their coordination agreement, extending it from a one-year to a five-year agreement. “The child welfare system has never worked for our people. We know how to care for our families and our children. It is deep in our teachings and identity as Tŝilhqot’in people,” said Tribal Chief Otis Guichon in a press release, commending their federal and provincial partners. Listen to the...
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Animated short ‘Pow!’ tells the story of Indigenous Youth learning to appreciate culture
By Dionne Phillips, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews As a child, filmmaker Joey Clift recalls being “dragged” to powwows by his insistent mother — even though he would have rather stayed home. Despite his resistance, he soon grew to appreciate the events as a show of the thriving culture that Indigenous people have worked to keep alive. That experience is the inspiration behind a new animated comedic short film titled Pow! that’s been premiering at film festivals across “Canada.” It’s set to screen at the Vancouver International Film Festival on Oct. 12. With a runtime of just over eight minutes, Pow! is packed with fun imagery as it follows Jake, a young Indigenous boy who prefers playing his video games over being present at a powwow. Clift, who is from...
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Federal government denies funding for rural school food program
By Talar Stockton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yukon News The Canadian government has denied funding for Yukon First Nations Education Directorate’s rural nutrition program. The program — which was operated in cooperation between the non-profit group and First Nations governments in the territory — provided meals to students in rural Yukon schools. Earlier this year, the federal government announced it would be changing the way that it reviews applications made to access funding through Jordan’s Principle. The legal principle is named for an Indigenous boy whose cost of care was volleyed back and forth between the Province of Manitoba and the federal government. Jordan River Anderson of Norway House Cree Nation was born in 1999 and had a serious medical condition. Per the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, after spending the...
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Saskatoon boy who killed friend while posing with gun sentenced to 18 months
By Jeremy Simes REGINA-CP-A judge has sentenced a Saskatoon boy to 18 months for killing a 12-year-old friend last year while posing with a gun and pretending to be a gangster. The 15-year-old boy, who was 13 at the time and cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, earlier pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death. Judge Lisa Watson ordered the boy to serve one year in open custody and six months under community supervision, followed by 18 months of probation. “I do wish you the best,” she said Wednesday. “I know this is a difficult day for you and your family, difficult for (the victim’s) family and loved ones. “I expect you to do something with your life. I expect you to move forward in a positive...
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Security may be increased at Manitoba constituency offices after fires and vandalism
By Steve Lambert Security may be increased at the constituency offices of Manitoba legislature members in the wake of recent fires and vandalism that are being investigated by police. “We’re evolving as a legislature to recognize that we’ve got to keep the constituency assistants safe, we’ve got to keep members of the public who are dropping in … we’ve got to keep the (legislature members) and ministers safe themselves,” Premier Wab Kinew told reporters Wednesday. Kinew’s comments came one day after an early-morning fire broke out at the constituency office of Manitoba Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine in the St. John’s area of Winnipeg. Windows at the same office were smashed earlier this month. In the adjacent constituency of Point Douglas, there have been four reports of small fires being set...
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Canada’s wildlife woes show nature is foundational in nation-building
By Rochelle Baker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Wildlife populations are plummeting while risks to nature rise across Canada as governments loosen environmental regulations to fast-track major projects, a World Wildlife Fund study shows. A little over half of the 910 vertebrate species monitored between 1970 to 2022 are in decline, according to WWF-Canada’s latest Living Planet Report, which tracks changes in national wildlife populations across different habitats. Wildlife populations have suffered an average decline of 10 per cent over the last half century, with some species faring better and others much worse, according to the report. The situation is stark for the species groups examined — birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles and amphibians — all of which are trending in the wrong direction, said James Snider, WWF-Canada’s...
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River otter attack on Port Alberni tween ‘unusual and rare’, says COS
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Port Alberni, BC – Tseshaht First Nation tween Taiaha Watts has one epic summer story to share on the playground. On Aug. 25 the 10-year-old boy from Port Alberni was attacked by a river otter while floating at a family swimming hole along the Somass River. Taiaha’s dad Len Watts was playing cards on the beach when the shocking incident took place. “This otter comes five feet in front of my son – usually they will look at you and go away – but it looked at him and went right for him, tried jumping on his face and chest,” Watts said. “We’re lucky it was low tide. When he stood up, the water was only to his hips. (Taiaha) was punching...
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Alberta re-enters pipeline arena, plans to propose new oil pipeline to B.C. coast
By Lauren Krugel Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta is committing $14 million to a West Coast oil pipeline do-over that hinges on First Nations getting on board early and Ottawa reversing a tanker ban that would make such a project unworkable on the northern B.C. coast. It’s a project Smith hails as the fulfilment of a higher duty to humanity, while her B.C. counterpart characterizes it as half-baked political gamesmanship. “What stands before us right now is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock our wealth and resources and become a world-leading energy superpower,” Smith told a news conference in Calgary on Wednesday. “There are billions of people around the world living in energy poverty who demand a higher standard of living. This is not just a question of Alberta’s energy. It...
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