Thunder Bay declares humanitarian crisis on homelessness
By Clint Fleury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY – “We do shoulder a large burden,” Coun. Andrew Foulds told city council on Tuesday. Council voted 10-1 in favour of declaring a humanitarian crisis on homelessness in the city. Coun. Albert Aiello was the only council member to oppose the declaration, saying it could potentially cost the city more money in homelessness prevention. Couns. Mark Bentz, Trevor Giertuga, Dominic Pasqualino, Michael Zussino, Rajni Agarwal, Shelby Ch’ng, Greg Johnsen, Kristen Oliver, Foulds and Mayor Ken Boshcoff voted in favour. Coun. Brian Hamilton declared a conflict of interest because he has taken on a frontline role addressing homelessness with the city’s HART Hub. Coun. Kasey Etreni was absent from the meeting. The decision comes after Chief Michele Solomon of Anemki Wajiw...
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Naatowápitao’ohkánnao’p opens as Holy Gathering Space in Calgary
By Jeremy Appel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News Calgary is now home to a Holy Gathering Place for the urban Indigenous population, courtesy of a partnership between the Confluence Historic Site & Parkland and Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC). Naatowápitao’ohkánnao’p (pronounced Nah-doh-WAH-bee-doh-gah-nope) had its opening ceremony on Jan. 30, with the unveiling of BOW MOTHER III – “Confluence,” a mural painted by local artist Nicole Wolf that wraps around the gathering place’s exterior. Its name was given by Elder Clement Leather from the Siksika Nation, who consecrated the building at its opening ceremony. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas provided opening remarks and AFCC board president Gabrielle Weasel Head, Tsapinaaki, was present to answer questions. In an interview with Alberta Native News, AFCC CEO Shane Gauthier gave credit for...
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Six Nations shuts down community’s only library
Six Nations Elected Council shuts down library without notifying board By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) has shut down the community’s public library without notifying the community or the library board. The library closed Friday Feb., 13th just five months after SNEC learned the building may suffer structural hazards. No public warnings were issued and the librarian, who had appeared before SNEC to discuss the library anniversary celebrations, the day before the shutdown was imposed, was not told the shutdown was coming. The Six Nations Public Library board was not notified of the shut-down of the 117-year-old library launched by Six Nations Confederacy Chiefs Council (SNCCC). Instead, the librarian found the library doors were locked and hazard tape stretched across the entranceway. The move came after SNEC...
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8 charged after contraband tobacco facility shut down on Six Nations territory
By Lynda Powless Editor Eight people are facing a series of charges in the combined forces police investigation that shut down a massive contraband tobacco operation on Chiefswood Road last May. That operation in May 2025 caused traffic havoc along Chiefswood Road from the village of Ohsweken to Third Line as the police operation got underway. Eight people, including two with Ohsweken addresses, are facing charges in the combined forces police investigation that shut down the massive contraband tobacco operation at Six Nations. The manufacturing facility was being operated by a non-Indigenous criminal network on Six Nations Territory, Six Nations Police said. In total six are facing 48 criminal code, excise act and cannabis act charges. Two are facing weapons-related offences. Charged are: Ethan Kanghu Cho, 26, of Ohsweken has...
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National child welfare settlement and proposed lodge raised
Six Nations leadership provided updates on a national child welfare settlement, emergency management coordination and major community initiatives, including a sold-out hospice fundraiser and ongoing questions surrounding the Iroquois Lodge rebuild. During Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill update to the community at the Six Nations Elected Council General Council meeting on Feb. 10 she reminded community members that the first claims period for the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle class action settlement opened March 10, 2025. The settlement applies to First Nations children removed from their homes between April 1, 1991 and March 31, 2022 by child welfare authorities funded by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). Eligible claimants include members of the “Removed Child Class” and the “Removed Child Family Class,” including parents and grandparents. Those not eligible...
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Six Nations raises red flags over federal budget cuts and calls for united advocacy
While Ottawa promises billions for water, housing and infrastructure, Six Nations is warning that much of the federal budget leaves on-reserve health services and community priorities vulnerable to cuts. Abigail Hill, Well Being Liaison Officer with the Six Nations Department of Well Being, delivered a detailed federal budget analysis to Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) at its Feb. 10 General Council meeting, urging council to remain “steadfast” as the federal government undertakes a sweeping expenditure and sustainability review. “The federal budget matters,” Hill told council, outlining how it sets funding priorities, highlights gaps and shapes advocacy efforts for First Nations-specific needs. Her presentation reviewed Indigenous-specific investments, including $2.3 billion over three years starting in 2026 to renew the First Nations water and wastewater enhanced program, $2.8 billion confirmed for the...
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Annual paddle of the Grand River in planning for 2026
The organizer of the Two Row on the Grand paddle is seeking renewed and expanded community support as the 10-day river journey continues to grow in scope, participation and impact. Ellie Joseph, founder of the grassroots initiative outlined the program’s alignment with the Six Nations Community Plan and its increasing demand for staffing, sponsorship and interdepartmental coordination at the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Council meeting on Feb. 10. She said as it grows, there is a need for more support for youth and elders who wish to participate. “We are trying to uphold community standards when we do this tour on the Grand,” Joseph said. “It’s about building community within our community.” Now entering its 11th year, Two Row on the Grand is a 10-day paddle along the...
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Brantford approaches Six Nations Elected Council for MOU on city’s new arena under construction
A proposed $152-million sports and entertainment centre could anchor a new era of collaboration between the City of Brantford and Six Nations if both councils agree to move forward. Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis and CAO Michael Bradley outlined plans for a 5,300-seat multi-purpose arena designed to meet Ontario Hockey League (OHL) standards and host concerts, trade shows and other major events at the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Council meeting on Feb. 10. The city is hoping to garner support from SNEC and to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which offers SNEC a portion of the revenues from the centre. Mayor Davis framed the project as more than bricks and mortar. “I look at it as two paths,” he said. “One is a path of collaboration, doing something...
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They simply closed it
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) has voted in a closed-door meeting to shut down the local library. The council actually went behind closed doors to close a public institution and they did it without even notifying the librarian or library board . Or anyone who even has a book out on loan. They did it without telling you, the public, the Six Nations community. The council decided, in a closed meeting, to shut down an institution that promotes free access to knowledge, to literacy, helps bridge the divide between the digital world and the printed word. And they went behind closed doors to do it. They closed out the public. They closed the door on you the people that voted for them and didn’t even bother to tell the librarian...
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Today in History
February 13 In 1992, the report of the Royal Commission on Electoral Reform and Party Financing urged limits on advertising, seats for aboriginal people and inducements for parties to recruit women. The report also advocated laws to make sure parties — which it called essential to the democratic process in Canada — promote democratic values and practices themselves. February 14 In 1973, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau agreed to establish a federal committee to negotiate Yukon Indian land claims. In 1995, an agreement giving more power to Aboriginal Peoples in the Yukon went into effect, on the 22nd anniversary of the day Indian elder Elijah Smith presented then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau with a document outlining their claim. Final terms were reached in 1993. The agreement gave 14 First Nations title to...
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: Ice Roads Of Winter Freedom
By Xavier Kataquapit Winter road season has finally started again on the James Bay coast. This seasonal ice road is an important transportation route for everyone because it offers a sense of freedom, allowing people to travel away from their home communities for all kinds of activities. This is the time of year when major bingo events take place in the communities and families from nearby First Nations can travel to visit their relatives. There are also major hockey tournaments that bring people together to take part in fun and exciting events. The winter ice road is also an opportunity for many families to access southern communities and the railway network in Moosonee to gather food items, household goods and other necessities at a more affordable price. This is also...
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Ironmen split opening two playoff contests with Coyotes
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Ironmen did manage to kick off their playoff schedule on a positive note on Saturday. The Ironmen travelled to Acton and downed the host Halton Hills Coyotes 6-4 in Game 1 of their best-of-seven Northern Premier Hockey League (NPHL) series. But the Coyotes evened the series the next afternoon by beating the Ironmen 7-4 in Game 2, held at the Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Centre. The Ironmen/Coyotes playoff battle is a North Division semi-final series in the NPHL’s Metropolitan Conference. The other divisional semi-final series features the Orangeville Blitz against the Woodstock Lakers. The Blitz is in control of that series, leading 2-0, following a lopsided 12-1 triumph this past Friday and a 9-4 victory on Sunday. Game 3 in the...
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Three local squads deadlocked in Arena Lacrosse League standings
By Sam Laskaris Writer The three local Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) squads find themselves in an unusual position following action this past weekend. The Six Nations Snipers, Ohsweken Bears and Paris RiverWolves are members of the eight-team ALL East (Ontario) division. All three clubs play their home contests out of the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). With about two-thirds of the league’s 14-game regular season schedule complete now, the Snipers, Bears and RiverWolves all find themselves sporting identical 3-6 records and tied for fifth place in the standings. The RiverWolves picked up their third win of the season on Sunday, eking out a 19-18 overtime triumph against the Bears. As for the Snipers, they were downed 11-9 by the visiting Peterborough Timbermen in a Sunday match that was also held at...
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Assembly of First Nations National Chief Statement on the 2026 Olympic Winter Games
(February 6, 2026 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, Ontario) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak issued the following statement on the opening today of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games: “On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations, I extend goodwill and congratulations to all the athletes, organizers and volunteers participating in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The Olympic Games remind us of the power of sport to bring people and the world together. Now more than ever is a time for all of us to embrace the vision of unity, balance and peace that is the spirit of the Olympic Games. For First Nations, they call us back to our values of respect, humility, courage and perseverance, that we can engage in respectful...
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Garbage proposal ‘made no sense,’ former Chief says
By Joe O’Grady, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker TEMISKAMING SHORES – For Carol McBride, it was just plain common sense that prevailed 25 years ago when the idea of dumping Toronto garbage in a former open pit mine near Kirkland Lake was finally abandoned. Visiting the Temiskaming Art Gallery in conjunction with the ongoing Adams Mine 25 art exhibit, the former Temiskaming First Nations Chief (TFN) said her community was late to the fight, but proud to have played a role. “When we heard what Toronto wanted to do, it didn’t make (any) sense,” she said. “There were so many issues (with the proposal.) The way I felt was Toronto, take care of your own garbage.” McBride said the TFN “didn’t get too involved until it got closer,” initially...
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Province fast-tracks Great Bear gold project near Red Lake
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SNnewswatch.com RED LAKE — The Great Bear gold mine project 24 kilometres southeast of Red Lake is getting fast-tracked under the province’s “One Project, One Process” framework. “Ontario is proud to designate this project under ‘One Project, One Process,’ unlocking one of Canada’s largest mines that will create over 1,000 good-paying jobs,” Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce told reporters Tuesday in Mississauga. Toronto-headquartered Kinross Gold Corporation wants to develop its Great Bear property into a combination open-pit and underground mine that could produce more than 5 million ounces of gold over a 12-year period. Great Bear is the second Northwestern Ontario mine project to get the fast-tracking “1P1P” treatment, after Lecce announced in October that Frontier Lithium’s PAK project north of Red...
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Poilievre says he’s spoken with Jivani about U.S. trip and MP ‘speaks for himself’
By Sarah Ritchie and Catherine Morrison Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Tuesday Ontario MP Jamil Jivani does not speak for the party after Jivani told a right-wing U.S. news site that Canada is harming itself with an “anti-America hissy fit.” In a scrum with reporters, Poilievre was peppered with questions about Jivani’s recent trip to Washington, D.C., and comments made to Breitbart News that Canadians would be “shooting ourselves in the foot if we continue this anti-America hissy-fit.” When asked if he agreed with Jivani’s characterization, Poilievre said “no.” “Canadians are legitimately upset by the unjustifiable tariffs and the comments that the president has made,” Poilievre said. Poilievre said that is also the message he gave to Jivani when he spoke to him about the trip and the comments, but...
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Brantford Police seeking help locating “Ryan”
BRANTFORD,ONT-The Brantford Police Service are asking the public for help in locating missing man Ryan, 33. Brantford Police Service (BPS) said Ryan was last seen in the area of Stanley Street and Henry Street around 9:00pm on Tuesday February 17, 2026. He is described as an Indigenous male, about 6ft tall, brown hair, brown eyes, and has a medium build and was last seen wearing a blue jacket, black track pants, and black shoes with red laces. Ryan is known to frequent various areas within the downtown core and around local shelters for unhoused persons. The BPS would like to verify Ryan’s location and well-being and are seeking assistance from anyone who may have information regarding his location. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Brantford Police Service...
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NDP leadership candidates look to break out from the pack as final debate approaches
By David Baxter The memberships have been sold, entry fees have been paid and now the NDP leadership candidates are preparing for their second and final party-organized debate in B.C. on Feb. 19. This second debate will be held in English. The first debate, held in November, was supposed to be a French-language debate — but since most of the candidates are not fluently bilingual, much of it was held in English. While the candidates share a broad range of benchmark social democratic values — such as support for labour unions — the debate gives them a chance to distinguish themselves from their rivals. The final vote will be held using a ranked ballot and the new leader will be announced on March 29 at a leadership convention in Winnipeg....
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Cold Lake charts social roadmap, council accepts needs assessment
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of a two-part series about the history of the Membertou First Nation community that will be a core part of the Kings Road Reserve Specific Claim to be filed against the federal government later this year. Mi’kmaq elder Katy Macewan opened a meeting with prayer recently when members of Membertou First Nation gathered to hear the history of the King’s Road Reserve – the site their ancestors called home for centuries. It was fitting for Macewan because she is a surviving member of the last family that was forced to leave the Sydney reserve by the federal government in 1929. The forced move resulted in the formation of Membertou First Nation where it sits...
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