Supreme Court hears challenge of law clearing path for Ontario Place redevelopment
By Jim Bronskill The Supreme Court of Canada plans to hear arguments today from a coalition challenging the constitutionality of legislation that smooths the way for major changes at Ontario Place. The case unfolding in Canada’s top court could reverberate far beyond the Toronto waterfront park that opened in 1971. Over the years, the theme park featured a spherical theatre that showed movies on a huge screen, children’s play areas, a revolving concert stage and several pavilions suspended above the water. The provincial government wants to redevelop Ontario Place to include an elaborate spa operated by a private company, a relocated Ontario Science Centre, revamped play and shoreline areas, a parking facility and a provincial police detachment. The coalition Ontario Place Protectors challenged the province’s Rebuilding Ontario Place Act on...
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Kenora asks province to end clock changes
By Pam Fedack, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kenora Miner & News Kenora’s City Council is asking Ontario to let the city remain on daylight saving time year-round alongside Manitoba, but approval before the Nov. 1 clock change remains uncertain. At a special meeting held on Oct. 9, council passed a resolution urging the province to amend the Time Act so Kenora and other Northwestern Ontario communities in the Central Time Zone can stop changing their clocks. The request is conditional on a majority of municipalities and First Nations communities in the region agreeing to the same approach. During the meeting, Mayor Andrew Poirier cautioned that the decision ultimately rests with the province. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it that it’s a done deal because I don’t know if it is...
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Chiefs of Ontario, NAN demand withdrawal of Bill C-39
By Pam Fedack, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kenora Miner & News The Chiefs of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and several regional Indigenous leaders want Ottawa to withdraw its major projects bill, saying faster approvals could leave communities without enough time to examine what development would mean for their lands and waters. COO and NAN are being joined by the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador and the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations in rejecting Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, as outlined in an Oct. 8 joint statement. “This government is writing legislation about our lands and our future without us at the table,” NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said. Introduced Sept. 21, the bill would set a one-year deadline for certain federal project decisions once proponents provide the...
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First Nation in N.S. launches joint venture using sea water to produce jet fuel
The Eskasoni First Nation is launching a joint venture with a Nova Scotia clean technology startup that is planning to use an element in sea water to produce rocket fuel. The First Nation in Cape Breton is partnering with Sydney, N.S.,-based Aeon Blue to create eFuels Mi’kmaq Limited. The plan is to use a technology called saltwater electrochemistry to split hydrogen from sea water, while at the same time capturing carbon dioxide from the air. The firm says it can then combine the hydrogen and CO2 to create low-cost fuels for the aviation and rocket sectors. Eskasoni is putting $1.5 million into the $4-million project and will have a majority ownership stake. Chief Leroy Denny says the venture, which is now at the pilot stage, is expected to create about...
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Manitoba inquest hears calls for reform in fatal shooting of First Nations girl, 16
By Brittany Hobson An inquest into the case of a 16-year-old First Nations girl shot to death by police is being told the force needs to make changes. Inquest lawyers and counsel for the family of Eishia Hudson say police should look at, among other changes, improving training on when it’s best to call off vehicle pursuit of a suspect. Eishia Hudson was shot in April 2020 after officers, responding to reports of a liquor store robbery, chased a stolen Jeep she was driving. The inquest heard the vehicle rammed a police cruiser and hit other vehicles during the pursuit before an officer fired the fatal shots. Inquest lawyer Dayna Steinfeld says Eishia was loved by many and that plans for her future were tragically cut short. Steinfeld says the...
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Death toll in B.C. Truth and Reconciliation Day crash rises to three
Police in Delta, B.C., say a third woman has died as a result of a truck crashing into pedestrians outside a mall on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The death of 64-year-old Gwenyth Brigit Dwyn of South Delta, B.C., comes after two Tsawwassen First Nation elders were killed at the scene of the crash outside the Tsawwassen Mills mall on Sept. 30. Delta police say a fourth person who was injured has been released from hospital. Police say the possibility the driver of the pickup experienced a medical event remains under investigation, and officers have no evidence the collision was targeted or ideologically motivated. The crash happened around when the Tsawwassen First Nation was hosting a community walk in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation,...
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Interim Indigenous languages commissioner’s term extended
By Alessia Passafiume The interim commissioner of Indigenous languages will serve in the role for another month as the Canadian Heritage department continues to search for a permanent replacement. Candice St-Aubin, a former senior assistant deputy minister of strategic policy with Indigenous Services Canada, was supposed to serve in the role for 90 days or until a new commissioner was appointed. A cabinet order dated Oct. 7 extends her appointment for another 31 days, or until she is no longer needed in the role. The order is effective as of Oct. 12. The term of Ron Ignace, the previous commissioner, ended in July, along with the terms of the office’s directors. The Canadian Heritage Department has not yet replied to a question about when a permanent commissioner and directors will...
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Annual Route 54 Harvest Festival draws huge crowds
Route 54’s annual Harvest Festival Give-Away had cars lined up down the highway for the popular event...
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Trillions of dollars at stake in Six Nations long awaited land claim trial
By Barbara Latkowski Writer It was three decades in the making but Six Nations of the Grand River is finally seeing its day in court and it centres around what could be the largest Indigenous land-claim settlement in Canadian history. The court case has Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) or Six Nations of the Grand River (SNGR) pitting itself against both Ontario and the federal governments in a case that opened a week ago. The case itself hinges on what starts out as a simple question. Is the Haldimand Proclamation a treaty? Six Nations of the Grand River (SNGR) First Nation says ‘yes’. Six Nations decades long land claim opened last week in Toronto after Six Nations sued Canada and Ontario, a case that began in 1995 over sold land...
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Mississaugas of Credit First Nation disappointed education inequity challenge dismissed
MISSISSAUGAS OF CREDIT FIRST NATION-A Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has dismissed a Mississaugas of Credit First Nations (MCFN) challenge centreing on education funding inequities. MCFN Chief Margaret Sault said despite the decision the MCFN position on education inequity has not changed. “This decision is disappointing, and we strongly disagree with it,” she said. “We brought this case forward because we believe education is a fundamental right and because the experiences of First Nations children and the realities facing our schools must be taken seriously. We are disappointed by this decision, but our commitment to our children has not changed.” The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision released October 6 dismissed MCFN’s complaint challenging systemic inequities in the funding and delivery of education for First Nations children. MCFN said it brought the...
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Indigenous youth working to bring positive climate change
By Barbara Latkowski Writer HAMILTON,ONT-In an ongoing effort to help strengthen First Nations climate initiatives, The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) hosted its 4th National Climate Gathering last week. With the theme “Strengthening First Nations Climate Leadership: Braiding Relationships, Knowledge Systems, and Inherent Responsibilities,” Indigenous leaders, elders and youth met at the Hamilton Convention Centre from October 5-8. First Nations community members, experts, leaders, elders and youth were able to share their ideas, knowledge and possible solutions concerning climate leadership from local, regional, national, and international perspectives. For youth, from across Canada, it was a chance to bring their voices and perspectives to the table. Katherine Jeremiah-Grenier, 26, from Missanabie Cree First Nation and North Caribou Lake First Nation spoke at the gathering representing her own youth movement from Timmins,...
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Six Nations Schools’ Cross Country, not a walk in the park
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Wait over for day in court
Six Nations has waited three decades for their day in court. And it finally arrived last week. Six Nations of the Grand River is sueing Canada and Ontario for the loss of their lands and mismanagement of their trust funds. A court case valued today at between $13.9 billion and $8.7 trillion and if won could see the community of Six Nations finally able to provide for its people. For those hiding under a rock, since you would have to be to not have heard of the massive theft of Six Nation lands that makes up portions of modern day Ontario, it all centres around the 1784 Haldimand Proclamation. A treaty that saw the Crown set aside about 384,451 hectares of land along the Grand River, lands now known as...
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Today in History
Oct 11 In 1869, the Red River Rebellion began when a group led by Adam Clark Webb attempted to survey a field belonging to Andre Nault, a Metis, at St. Vital, Man. About 20 Metis led by Louis Riel prevented the work and forced Webb to leave, an act which sparked confrontations between Riel and the Canadian government Oct 12 In 2021, health officials in northern Saskatchewan declared a tuberculosis outbreak. The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority said it had recently identified outbreaks in two communities — six cases in Black Lake and seven in Fond du Lac. Oct 15 In 2020, a First Nations chief in Nova Scotia appealed for calm and called for an increased police presence after an angry non-Indigenous crowd damaged two lobster facilities that handle his...
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: Celebrating Our Aunt Celine
By Xavier Kataquapit My aunt Celine Mary (Kataquapit) Nakogee passed away on September 28, 2026, at the age of 86. Her family will deeply miss her kindness, wonderful smile, and fun nature. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, past Attawapiskat Chief John B. Nakogee and their children George, Jenny, Mary, David, Roger, Beverly, Norman and Peter. She was also predeceased by their son John B Jr. She also leaves behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I had a chance to speak to my uncle John B after the funeral. He talked about how deeply he was connected to his life partner and how much they loved each other. They both grew up in the north and they understood how hard their lives had been. They are both survivors...
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Men’s program reaches milestone meeting
By Sam Laskaris Writer A milestone event will be held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA) on Wednesday night. The 100th meeting of the 7Sticks Men’s Mental Health and Addictions Circle will be held at the Six Nations arena. The group was co-founded in 2024 by a pair of individuals well known in local lacrosse circles, Miles General and Austin Staats. Those in the program meet once a week, for two hours on Wednesday nights, inside one of the ILA dressing rooms. “We use lacrosse as a platform,” General said. “And we call it 7Sticks because of the concept of our seven generations that’s with our Iroquois people. And so that’s why we incorporated that into it. It’s just to help provide an alternative pathway to healing for all of...
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Winnipeg to host the 2028 North American Indigenous Games
By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations athletes that are hoping to compete in the next North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) now know the city they will potentially showcase their skills in. It was announced this past Thursday that the NAIG Council has conditionally awarded the 2028 Games to Norway House Cree Nation (NHCN), located in Manitoba, as well as the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO), which represents 32 First Nations in southern Manitoba. The Games, which are scheduled to be held from July 9-23 in 2028, will primarily be staged in Winnipeg. Other locations in the province will also be utilized for some of the competitions. The last NAIG was held in Nova Scotia, mostly in Halifax, in 2023. The next Games had originally been scheduled for Calgary in 2027. But...
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Blitz leading scorer joins Ironmen
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Ironmen have signed one of their biggest rivals from a year ago. That would be Alex Gilmour, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound forward, who starred in the Northern Premier Hockey League (NPHL) with the Orangeville Blitz last season. Gilmour led the Blitz in scoring last season averaging more than two points per game. He collected 35 points (15 goals and 20 assists) in 16 regular season matches. When the Blitz ceased operations during the off-season Gilmour and all of his Orangeville teammates became free agents. “I was just trying to find something a little bit closer to home,” said Gilmour, who lives in Waterdown. “There’s tons of hockey out this way. But ultimately the schedule with Six Nations worked out the best.” Gilmour, who is...
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Readers invited to learn how to develop strategies to confront residential school denialism
By Shari Narine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com The editors of Truth Before Reconciliation: Confronting Residential School Denialism admit they would rather be working with Indian residential school survivors on other issues, but the appearance of a group of masked white supremacists on the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Nation near Kamloops, B.C. make confronting denialism a priority. “We think of our book like a toolkit. Now Canadians have a toolkit, the voices of survivors, the voices of credentialed researchers,” said co-editor Niigaan Sinclair, Anishinaabe from St. Peter’s/Little Peguis, and a professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of Manitoba. “Then, of course, all the different ways that we can strategize together to combat what is really a force that’s trying to encourage people to be ignorant, encourage them to believe misinformation...
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More than 300 advance polls open across Alberta in historic referendum on separation
By Jack Farrell Albertans across the province began lining up and casting their ballots Tuesday in the province’s historic vote on separation. Elections Alberta opened the doors at 310 polling stations for the first of five days of advanced voting ahead of the official polling day on Oct. 19. One downtown Edmonton polling station saw a lineup that stretched almost half a block after doors opened at 9 a.m., with voters spending anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour to cast their ballots. Premier Danielle Smith has put 10 questions to a vote, including whether Alberta should remain in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on quitting Confederation. Some voters wore their vote on their sleeves by dawning hats or sweaters with the Canadian flag to go to the...
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