Seventh annual memorial slo-pitch tourney to raise funds for men’s mental health
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca TAYLOR, B.C. — An annual slo-pitch tournament raising funds for suicide prevention will take place early next month. The seventh annual Clayton Askoty Memorial Tournament is set for the first weekend of September, with funds raised going toward the Movember Foundation, according to a Facebook post. The Clayton Askoty Memorial slo-pitch tournament will take place from September 5th to September 7th at the Taylor baseball diamonds near the Taylor District Ice Centre at 9880 Cherry Avenue West. The tournament is in honour of the late Clayton Askoty, Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) Chief Valerie Askoty’s brother, who took his own life in 2012. Festivities will include the guarantee that each team will get five games, a home run derby, an opportunity to...
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Eskasoni Doctor to pilot Cape Breton Medical Campus Leadership Team
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post A doctor currently serving in Eskasoni First Nation has taken on the role of academic director, indigenous health in Unama’ki. The Cape Breton Medical Campus welcomed family physician Dr. Carl Marshall to the role that supports the development and implementation of indigenous health programming for learners, faculty and staff at the Cape Breton Medical Campus, ensuring alignment with indigenous community priorities. Originally from Cape Breton’s Potlotek First Nation, the 32-year-old Marshall who lived in Whitney Pier during his early school years and is a graduate of Sydney Academy, finished his studies at Cape Breton University before attending McMaster University Medical School in Niagara, Ontario. He continued on to Newfoundland and Labrador, where he completed his family medicine residency through Memorial...
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B.C. chiefs say Cowichan title ruling ‘monumental,’ not meant to threaten homeowners
By Chuck Chiang The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is calling a recent court decision on Aboriginal title on land along the Fraser River a “monumental” development, but says the case isn’t about threatening private home ownership. The organization says this month’s decision confirming the Cowichan Tribes’ Aboriginal title over land and fishing rights in Richmond, B.C., “reaffirms and strengthens” the recognition of such title in the province. But vice-president Chief Don Tom says in a statement the case is “not about seizing private homes or threatening homeowners,” and framing the court decision that way is unfair scapegoating of First Nations. The B.C. Supreme Court decision says the Cowichan established title to a portion of land and river foreshore, with titles held by Canada and the City of Richmond...
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Tribunal orders Ottawa, First Nations to resume negotiations on child welfare reforms
By Alessia Passafiume The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is ordering parties involved in a decade-long child welfare case to work together — or separately — to reform the system and stop Ottawa from further discriminating against First Nations children. The order comes nine years after the tribunal concluded that the federal government had discriminated against First Nations children by underfunding the on-reserve child welfare system, following a joint 2007 human rights complaint from the Assembly of First Nations and the Caring Society. The Tribunal said Ottawa’s underfunding was discriminatory because it meant kids living on reserve were given fewer services than those living off reserve. It tasked Canada with reaching an agreement with First Nations to reform the system, and with compensating children who were torn from their families and...
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How Guatemala, Mexico, and Belize plan to protect 14 million acres of Mayan forest
By Sonia Pérez D. And María Verza GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Mexico, Guatemala and Belize have announced plans to create a huge reserve of tropical forest spanning across the three countries. Pushing out criminal gangs and protecting the land from ranchers, miners and loggers won’t be easy. The nature reserve announced last week and called the Great Mayan Jungle Biocultural Corridor would stretch across jungle areas of southern Mexico and northern parts of the two Central American nations, encompassing more than 14 million acres (5.7 million hectares). It would become the second largest reserve in the Americas, behind only the Amazon. In interviews this week, the environment ministers of Mexico and Guatemala emphasized the need for security, while also expressing the intention of administrations in both countries to avoid destructive...
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Mi’kmaw Summer Games begin in Wagmatcook
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post The power of sport was on full display this weedk when hundreds of athletes, their friends and family and provincial dignitaries attended the opening ceremonies for the Mi’kmaw Summer Games in Wagmatcook, Cape Breton. Rain didn’t stop the outdoor parade of athletes and a rainbow even graced the sky as First Nations chiefs from all across Nova Scotia and politicians at all levels of government welcomed and encouraged the youth. “The power of sport is about physical and mental strength, endurance and skill,” said Wagmatcook Chief Norman Bernard, who welcomed everyone to the community and the games. “We are proud Mi’kmaw people and we are honoured and excited to be the host this summer.” The history of the games goes...
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‘Colonial decision-making’: First Nations denounce B.C. park closure as too short
Two First Nations are denouncing British Columbia’s planned month-long closure of Joffre Lakes Park for Indigenous cultural practices as too short, calling it “a fraction” of what they proposed within their title and rights. The Lilwat and N’Quatqua nations say the closure from Sept. 2 to Oct. 3 is a “continuation of colonial decision-making” that does not respect Indigenous authority over their traditional lands. The B.C. government says it’s the third and final such closure of the park this year. An online statement from the nations says they wanted a two-month closure, from Aug. 22 to Oct. 23, that the community needs “to reconnect with the land, conduct ceremonies, and gather food and medicines” as well as give the area a rest period from recreational use. The province had said...
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Community rallies against gun violence after Toronto boy killed by stray bullet
Dozens of people gathered this morning at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square, demanding politicians take gun violence more seriously after an eight-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet while in bed last weekend. JahVai Roy, who has been described by friends and family as a compassionate and kind child, was killed in his North York bed just after midnight on Saturday. Rally organizers burned sage, said prayers and shared stories to honour the boy’s legacy, one day after a vigil was held outside the apartment building where he died. Attendees signed flags, chanted the boy’s name and held signs pleading for an end to gun violence. Executive director of the Indigenous youth agency that organized the event says the rally’s aim is to keep the boy’s name alive and address...
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New Supportive Housing for Victims of Domestic Violence
By Carol Baldwin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Wakaw Recorder The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) broke ground on Monday, August 18th, for a new supportive housing unit in Saskatoon that will serve Métis, Indigenous, and non-Indigenous women, children and the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community members who are removing themselves from abusive situations. “There are no borders. There shouldn’t be any borders,” said Glen McCallum, President of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan. “That’s why this place is going to be open for Métis, First Nations, Inuit and non-Indigenous folks that are struggling with domestic violence, and to be able to have a safe place to come to.” Partnering with the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, funding was secured last year for the construction and operation of a long-term, culturally specific supportive housing unit. The building will provide housing,...
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Catholic Division entering final year of Strategic Plan
By Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince Albert Daily Herald The Prince Albert Catholic School Division is entering the final year of their current Strategic Plan. During the board of education’s regular meeting on Monday director of education Lorel Trumier said they will begin discussions this year on the next step. “More information will be set out here probably at the next board meeting in terms of some timelines and some processes that would be used for the strategic planning process,” she said. The strategic plan was initially approved in May 2023. Trumier said that the process for the new strategic plan could begin as soon as the board’s next meeting on Sept. 8. Trumier said that the division looks forward to what the final year of the Strategic...
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Search of Manitoba landfill for women’s remains cost $18M, less than expected: Kinew
By Steve Lambert The Manitoba government says the landfill search that succeeded in finding the remains of two slain First Nations women cost $18 million, with $2 million more expected in the coming weeks to clear the site and move equipment. The total is far below previous estimates, which ran as high as $184 million. Premier Wab Kinew says the search was done in a safe and fiscally responsible manner but, more importantly, it brought Marcedes Myran and Morgan Harris home. Harris, Myran and two other First Nations women were killed in 2022 by Jeremy Skibicki, who was given a life sentence last year on four counts of first-degree murder. The remains of Harris and Myran were found at the Prairie Green landfill, a private operation north of Winnipeg. Search...
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‘It gives you the tools’: First Nations Health Authority releases resources to tackle substance abuse in youth
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The provincial health body committed to assisting Indigenous communities in navigating substance abuse has released a new toolkit. The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) recently announced its ‘With Open Arms’ toolkit, offering guidance and tips on “how to have courageous conversations” around topics such as harm reduction and substance abuse, with videos and other resources. The kit was released through consultation with an FNHA-appointed youth advisory committee, with Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) members Leaf Turrell and Jessica Campbell listed as members. The 24-year-old Turrell told Energeticcity.ca that planning with the youth advisory committee began in 2022 when the FNHA looked to see what young Indigenous people had to say about substance use and harm reduction. “[They...
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‘Pressing issues’ voiced by city advocates
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal A City of Thunder Bay delegation comprised of Mayor Ken Boshcoff, and John Collin, city manager with the city’s Intergovernmental Affairs team, Councillors Kasey Etreni and Shelby Ch’ng, and led by Coun. Kristen Oliver, the group’s chairperson, lobbied for local funding and action at the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s (AMO) Conference this week in Ottawa. “We did cover a lot of really pressing issues that we have in our community, those being the municipal funding opportunities, homelessness and addictions, the encampment crisis, forensic pathology unit, the marine unit, guns and gangs, funding for the Thunder Bay Expressway, Northwest arterial project and the temporary village,” Oliver said. “We took turns being the lead person when we had our ministry meetings.”...
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Compensation Payments begin for historic $23 billion federal settlement agreement
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase The first compensation payments from the $23 billion federal settlement for discrimination in the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program and Jordan’s Principle began last week. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak announced the latest development during a press conference in Toronto on August 14. “No amount of money can ever make up for the harms done to you or give you back your childhood,” Nepinak said, addressing the plaintiffs. “We hope this will provide some measure of healing to those that are affected.” The settlement, approved in April 2023, is the result of a human rights complaint filed by AFN against the Canadian government for systemically underfunding FNCFS. According to AFN, more than 40,000 claims...
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B.C. names facilitator to help Okanagan Falls become municipality, name to be decided
British Columbia’s government has appointed a facilitator to help create the province’s first new municipality in 15 years, after residents of Okanagan Falls in the southern Interior voted to incorporate five months ago. The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs says in a statement that the facilitator will help finalize the “letters patent” which serves as the founding document of an incorporated municipality. Details that need to be worked out include the name of the community, with Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band saying in the ministry statement that the process should comply with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Other issues to be addressed in the letters patent include the new municipality’s boundaries, the size of council, and incorporation date. The ministry says it...
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Free Indigenous music festivals ready to rock Vancouver Island
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Vancouver Island, BC – For the second year running, 2 Rivers Remix Society (2RMX) and VirtualFeast.ca are bringing a free Indigenous music, art and culture festival to three communities on Vancouver Island. Dubbed ‘Movable Feast’, the Island tour launches on Saturday, Aug. 23 in the Toquaht Nation community of Macoah in western Barkley Sound, followed by Ahousaht on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and ending in ‘Yalis (Alert Bay) on Saturday, Aug. 30. Attendees can expect to see live contemporary music performances alongside traditional songs and dances, with food and market vendors at each Movable Feast event. Each Movable Feast opens at noon with a welcoming ceremony from the local nations and elders, as well as a special opening ceremony by Mexika-Tenochka artists Ana...
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Billionaire David Thomson interested in buying Hudson’s Bay charter, donating it
By Tara Deschamps Two of Canada’s richest families appear poised for a battle over one of the country’s most famed documents. A holding company owned by David Thomson, the billionaire chairman of Thomson Reuters, announced in new court filings Thursday that it wants to buy the royal charter that formed the Hudson’s Bay retailer. Thomson is willing to spend at least $15 million on the historic document he wants to donate to the Archives of Manitoba. Thomson’s filing could become a hurdle for the department store, which is due to ask a court on Sept. 9 for permission to sell the charter for $12.5 million to Wittington Investments Ltd. The holding company belonging to the Weston family, which is best known for its grocery conglomerate Loblaw Cos. Ltd., wants to...
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B.C.’s only fire of note no longer out of control, but road and power cuts drag on
By Chuck Chiang The Mount Underwood wildfire on Vancouver Island is no longer burning out of control, but the power outages and road closures that it triggered are dragging on. John Jack, chairman of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, said there was a tough lesson in that for anywhere facing wildfire risks. “I think it’s important for every community to understand that this can happen anywhere, that emergency situations can cut off access or power for extended periods of time,” said Jack, who is also Chief Councillor for the Huu-ay-aht First Nation. He said every municipal government and community, “every neighborhood and even every household” should have a plan to make it through at least 72 hours without power.” The BC Wildfire Service reclassified the fire near Port Alberni as being...
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Mother of Toronto boy killed by stray bullet urges vigil crowd not to forget her son
By Natasha Baldin The mother of an eight-year-old Toronto boy killed by a stray bullet while he was in bed told a community vigil Thursday that she hopes everyone remembers JahVai Roy’s name. “His love language was loud,” Holly Roy told the crowd gathered outside the family’s North York apartment building. “He wanted to touch me, rub his mommy’s back. It was the little things. And that was our routine, in bed, snuggling,” she said, reflecting on the last happy memories she had with her son and his “energetic spirit.” JahVai’s name echoed around the building Thursday evening as community leaders and advocates promised to never forget him. Toronto police said a stray bullet from a shooting outside entered the family’s residence around 12:30 a.m. last Saturday, killing the boy....
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Timmins man frustrated at lack of support for missing adventurer
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com When Jacob Betker first met Steffen Skjøttelvik, it was during a snowstorm at the Timmins airport. The Norwegian adventurer had just landed in Canada with three dogs and a dream to trek from James Bay to Alaska over five years. Skjøttelvik’s plan was to travel by dog team in the winter and live off the land in the summer, staying near remote communities when needed, Betker said. “He was a young, physically capable guy with a sparkle in his eye,” Betker told TimminsToday. “He was very good with his dogs — you could tell right away. He knew how to handle them.” Now, 29-year-old Skjøttelvik is missing somewhere along the Hudson Bay coast. His last known communication was on Aug. 14, when he...
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