Today in History
April 29 In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI expressed “sorrow” to a delegation from Canada’s Assembly of First Nations over the abuse and “deplorable” treatment that aboriginal students suffered at residential schools run by the Roman Catholic Church. May 1 In 2007, the House of Commons unanimously apologized to former students of Canada’s Residential Schools for the trauma they suffered as a result of policies intended to assimilate Indian, Inuit and Metis children into mainstream society. In 2022, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said Canada’s residential school system was a cultural genocide. And after listening to residential school survivors share their stories during his visit to Saskatchewan’s James Smith Cree Nation, the head of the Anglican Church said he could understand why many survivors feel it was an actual genocide. Welby...
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: The Birds Are Calling For Spring
By Xavier Kataquapit I recently took a long walk out into a beautiful spring day. The weather was pleasant, the sun was bright and the air was brisk and cool. I could still feel the sting of winter hanging on and to confirm that feeling, I could hear it from the song of a familiar bird this time of year. The Chickadee was singing its familiar ‘tee-tee’ song. My Kookoom, my grandmother, often pointed out to us children that this little bird was actually calling out the name of the season. The bird changes its tune depending on the weather. When winter is still lingering with cold winds, the Chickadee will continue its plain one-tone ‘tee-tee’ song. As soon as it senses that warmer weather is on the way, it...
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Rebels open season with pair of wins
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Rebels managed to kick off their 2026 regular season campaign with a lopsided victory this past Friday. And then the local Junior B lacrosse squad registered its first road W of the season one night later. The Rebels thumped the visiting Welland Raiders 22-3 in their season opener, which was held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. The Six Nations squad then hit the road on Saturday and posted an 11-7 triumph versus the Point Edward Pacers. Rebels’ captain Chaz Hill said he was anticipating a huge Rebels’ victory in their season opener. “I was kind of expecting that,” he said. “The boys were coming off a good pre-season environment, fired up, ready to go.” The Six Nation club had won four out of...
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Six Nations and Mississaugas of Credit First Nations involved in FIFA
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations may play a role in one of the world’s largest sporting events as discussions continue around participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in Toronto. At Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Finance committee meeting on April 20 Councillor Greg Frazer provided an update to the community, noting that tournament activities are set to begin June 12, with Canada’s first game to follow and a FIFA Fan Festival planned to start on June 11 lasting 22 days. Frazer said Six Nations is part of an Indigenous advisory body exploring how the community can participate in the international event, particularly in cultural programming tied to the festivities. “We have been in discussion… to see how SNEC can participate and be involved with the festivities...
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Ironmen gearing up for The Freddy
By Sam Laskaris Writer They’ll be facing some formidable opponents early on. But the Six Nations Ironmen are still hoping for plenty of success at this year’s Fred Sasakamoose Chief Thunderstick National Hockey Championship. The tournament, which is held annually in Saskatoon, is named after the late trailblazing hockey legend Fred Sasakamoose, who was the first First Nations player to suit up for a National Hockey League team. He dressed for 11 games with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 1953-54 season. The tournament, often simply called The Freddy, is considered the Canadian championship for Indigenous women’s and men’s teams. This year’s event runs May 14-17. The tourney will feature 32 men’s squads and eight women’s teams. Though the tournament schedule has yet to be released, the participating men’s teams were...
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Grand Canyon Skywalk continues to attract millions of visitors
By Sam Laskaris, Writer “No Words.” That is the advertised selling point of Grand Canyon West (GCW), one of the four main segments of the Arizona-based canyon, which is regarded as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The thinking of this slogan is that if a visitor is blindfolded and then first lays eyes on GCW, that individual would be speechless. Then, later, when people are able to formulate words about what they are witnessing, no doubts adjectives such as breathtaking, awe-inspiring, stupendous and astonishing would pop to mind – no doubt accompanied by a wide grin marveling at the beauty in view. Unless they do a little bit of history, GCW visitors might not realize they are on land owned by the Hualapai, a federally recognized...
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King Charles III’s charity celebrates 50 years of helping young people find work with a gala in NYC
By James Pollard NEW YORK (AP) — Scottish entrepreneur Mike Welch made his fortune as an online tire retailer. But he says he might’ve traded that lucrative career for one in funeral services if not for an intervention during his teenage years from the charity of King Charles III. A dyslexic teenager from a working-class background, Welch struggled with his college entry exams and took a job installing tires after leaving school at age 15. When he lost that gig, he lined up at the Liverpool job center. The job board featured a funeral director’s listing — a “great career,” he’s sure, but “pretty grim” — and an advertisement for a charity event where entrepreneurs could win business grants. Welch took that one and, less than 24 hours later, found...
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Residential school survivors society facing federal funding uncertainty
By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Shore News The Indian Residential School Survivors Society says some of their core healing and crisis support programs could be at risk if they don’t receive continued federal funding. The non-profit, which has its head office in West Vancouver, launched a federal action petition calling on the federal government to ensure ongoing core funding of their support programs to prevent breaks and to work together on a long-term funding plan that reflects service needs. Angela White, executive director of the IRSSS, said the non-profit receives around $4 million in federal funding to operate those support programs. Losing that funding would create a huge gap for survivors and those who access their services, she said. “The Truth and Reconciliation Commission made it clear...
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RCMP raid First Nation cannabis warehouse as part of larger sting
By John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner RCMP say a Sunday raid on a cannabis distribution centre and a home in Madawaska First Nation in northwestern New Brunswick was part of a larger strike at organized crime. In the early morning, the Mounties swooped in with multiple vehicles on Madawaska Warehouse in an unassuming smaller building at 1815 rue Principale in the main part of the reserve near the City of Edmundston’s core. Simultaneously, authorities executed search warrants at four other locations. One was in Hamilton, the city in southwestern Ontario, and the other three were in Nova Scotia. Two were in Sackville, N.S., just north of Halifax, and another was in Maitland, a seaside settlement 17 kilometres west of Truro. Police offered little detail on how...
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Former Nunavut premier advocating for Arctic infrastructure on Canada-U.S.economic relations committee
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Former Nunavut premier P.J. Akeeagok was the only Inuk appointed to the 25-member Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations by Prime Minister Mark Carney on April 21. The committee will advise Carney on upcoming trade negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, ahead of the July 1 joint review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, formerly known as NAFTA. Speaking to Nunavut News, Akeeagok said he would advocate for greater investment in Arctic infrastructure to better position Canada for international trade with new partners. “When you look at Nunavut’s case, we have what the world wants in terms of resources. You look at all the critical minerals that have been identified,” he said. Nunavut has known deposits of 15 out of 35...
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Liberals target affordability to meet era of uncertainty in spring fiscal update
By Craig Lord The federal Liberals say they’re getting a windfall from better-than-expected fiscal revenues and are largely putting that money back into circulation to support households and build up the economy. But Ottawa’s spring economic update also sees some darker clouds on the horizon as uncertainty over the Iran war and U.S. tariffs threatens growth in the years ahead. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne on Tuesday tabled Canada Strong For All, a mid-year fiscal update that includes $54.5 billion in new costs and spending since Budget 2025. Improved revenues and reduced expenses elsewhere mean the spring economic update includes $37.5 billion in net new spending. The Liberals now estimate last year’s federal deficit came in at $66.9 billion, more than $11 billion short of the $78.3 billion forecast in the...
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Liberals target affordability to meet era of uncertainty in spring fiscal update
By Craig Lord The federal Liberals say they’re putting the windfall from an unexpected boost in revenues into measures to make life more affordable, build up the economy and promote the skilled trades. But Ottawa’s spring economic update also sees some darker clouds on the horizon as uncertainty over the Iran war and U.S. tariffs threatens growth in the years ahead. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne on Tuesday tabled Canada Strong For All, a mid-year fiscal update that includes $54.5 billion in new costs and spending since Budget 2025. Improved revenues and reduced expenses elsewhere allowed the government to include $37.5 billion in net new spending in the spring economic update without pushing up the annual deficit. The Liberals now estimate last year’s federal deficit came in at $66.9 billion, more...
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Health Canada approves 1st generic version of Ozempic in the country
By Nicole Ireland Health Canada has approved the first generic version of brand-name Ozempic. The department says Canada is the first G7 country to authorize generic semaglutide. The injectable medication is manufactured by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories in India and is approved for the once-weekly treatment of Type 2 diabetes in adults. In a news release, Health Canada says many generic medications are 45 to 90 per cent cheaper than brand-name versions. Many people without drug coverage have been eagerly waiting for generic semaglutide because Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic can cost hundreds of dollars a month. Although the medication is approved for diabetes treatment, it is often prescribed off-label for weight loss. Health Canada says it continues to review eight other generic semaglutide submissions from other companies. How much cheaper generic semaglutide...
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Sandbags available at Nipissing First Nation as flood warning persists
By David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, BayToday.ca Nipissing First Nation (NFN) has sandbags available to residents at two locations. Beaucage residents can pick up sandbags at the end of Margaret Drive. Jocko Point residents can pick them up from the Jocko Point Fire Hall at 1082 Jocko Point Road. “Sand and sandbags will be available to other NFN community residents only when required,” NFN staff emphasized in a release. Also, staff remind residents that NFN only provides sandbags to protect houses, driveways, and wellheads, not to stop shoreline erosion or waves. The decision to sandbag is in response to an announcement from last Tuesday. On April 21, the Ministry of Natural Resources issued a flood warning for Lake Nipissing and other areas within the region. See: Sandbag stations operating...
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Lockdown for Manitoba First Nation as RCMP search for suspect in bar shooting
NORWAY HOUSE, MANITOBA-CP-Residents of a First Nation in northern Manitoba were urged to lock their doors late Tuesday as Mounties used police dogs and other specialized units to search for a man suspected in a bar shooting. RCMP were called around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to a disturbance just south of Lagoon Road in Norway House, a roughly 800-kilometre drive from Winnipeg. “Upon arrival, officers located two males with gunshot injuries,” police said in a news release. The conditions of the two men were not immediately available. The Norway House Cree Nation said in an emergency alert that the shooting took place at the Playgreen Inn bar. The alert said the suspected shooter was seen running into the bush of nearby Fort Island and that RCMP were searching for him. As...
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Allen Maghagak remembered as ‘diplomatic but firm’ negotiator for Inuit rights
By Arty Sarkisian, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Allen Maghagak is being remembered as a strong leader for Kitikmeot, a diplomat for Inuit rights and a lover of music. Maghagak, 73, died last week in Ottawa. “He was a determined man, so that Inuit can define their own future for their children, their grandchildren and their grandchildren’s children,” said Piita Irniq, a former commissioner of Nunavut. “It’s very sad. I think he was getting very sick in the end.” Maghagak and Irniq worked together negotiating the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement between 1982 and 1987, which eventually led to the creation of Nunavut in 1999. Maghagak was chief negotiator for Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut, which later became Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the legal representative for Inuit in Nunavut. “This has been...
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Feds inject $660 million in new funding for national sports groups facing shortfalls
By Nick Murray The federal government is setting aside $660 million over the next five years for national sport organizations that have faced mounting deficits for years. Today’s spring economic update promises $110 million annually after that to boost to funding for national sport organizations that had remained largely static for two decades. Following this year’s Olympics in Milano-Cortina, which saw Canada’s weakest Winter Games medal count since 2002, the Canadian Olympic Committee issued an urgent plea for increased funding. The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees lobbied unsuccessfully for a $144-million increase in annual core funding for national sport organizations in the 2025 budget. Ottawa has indicated it wants national sport organizations to spread the new money across all levels of sport and not to reserve it just for high-level...
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Liberals target affordability to meet era of uncertainty in spring fiscal update
By Craig Lord The federal Liberals say they’re getting a windfall from better-than-expected fiscal revenues and are largely putting that money back into circulation to support households and build up the economy. But Ottawa’s spring economic update also sees some darker clouds on the horizon as uncertainty over the Iran war and U.S. tariffs threatens growth in the years ahead. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne on Tuesday tabled Canada Strong For All, a mid-year fiscal update that includes $54.5 billion in new costs and spending since Budget 2025. Improved revenues and reduced expenses elsewhere mean the spring economic update includes $37.5 billion in net new spending. The Liberals now estimate last year’s federal deficit came in at $66.9 billion, more than $11 billion short of the $78.3 billion forecast in the...
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Wet’suwet’en chief loses contempt appeal after citing Indigenous law
The B.C. Court of Appeal says a Wet’suwet’en chief found guilty of criminal contempt for violating an injunction can’t use a “novel” claim that he was following Indigenous law when he violated a court order. Chief Dsta’hyl, also known as Adam Bernard Gagnon, appealed his criminal contempt conviction after he was found in violation of an injunction to prevent protesters impeding work on the Coastal GasLink pipeline in 2021. The Appeal Court’s ruling says Gagnon raised an “uncomplicated” defence, claiming he shouldn’t be convicted of disobeying the injunction because he was “compelled” to do so under the Wet’suwet’en law of trespass. The ruling says the chief wasn’t asking the court to condone his conduct, but sought to be “excused from liability” based on evidence heard about the Wet’suwet’en trespass law...
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Feds outline $4.3B for Indigenous education, health in spring economic update
By Alessia Passafiume The federal government is promising $4.3 billion for First Nations education, Inuit food security and Indigenous child welfare in its spring economic update. Much of the funding cited in the statement has been announced already, while funding to build more homes in Indigenous communities is being reallocated from other areas of government. The document says the funding will help “empower healthy, thriving Indigenous communities.” The federal government is setting aside $601 million this year for on-reserve elementary and secondary education “that meets the needs of students so that First Nations youth can participate fully in Canada’s skilled workforce.” Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has long called for more supports to help First Nations youth enter the skilled trades and says Canada relies too...
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