Trees to be planted in joint First Nation and BC Energy Regulator restoration project to restore caribou habitat
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca BUICK, B.C. — A northeast B.C. First Nation finalized details about a new restoration project tied to a 2023 implementation agreement with the province. Blueberry River First Nations (BRFN) and the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) have unveiled plans for its large-scale Pink Mountain Seismic Line Restoration Project, according to a press release on Wednesday, July 16th. The project involves the restoration of 93 hectares of seismic line disturbance near the Sikanni Chief River. BRFN identifies the area as one of “cultural significance,” which is also the homeland of southern mountain caribou herds. Focusing on restoring habitat and connectivity between caribou herds from Chinchaga and Pink Mountain areas, the process will involve the construction of brush fences, tree planting and constructing tree piles....
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Inside the high-stakes battle to win a New York City casino license
By Philip Marcelo NEW YORK (AP) — A Caesars Palace casino in the heart of Times Square. A sprawling gambling hall along Coney Island’s iconic boardwalk. A Hard Rock casino complex next to the home stadium of baseball’s New York Mets. Eight projects are bidding for a state license to operate a casino in the lucrative New York City market, each dangling the prospect of generational investment in America’s largest metropolitan region. But one — a Bally’s casino proposed on a Bronx golf course once run by President Donald Trump’s company — may have already run out of luck, after city lawmakers denied it a key approval this week. All of the proposed casinos, in application materials submitted in recent days, promise to create thousands of new jobs, flashy new...
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Carney to meet with First Nations today on major projects legislation
By Alessia Passafiume Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet today with First Nations leaders about his government’s controversial major projects legislation. The closed-door meeting was promised by Carney in June after chiefs said their rights were not respected by the rush to push the Building Canada Act through Parliament in June. The legislation allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big industrial projects like mines, ports and pipelines by sidestepping existing laws. An agenda for today’s meeting shared with The Canadian Press shows Carney will deliver opening remarks for 10 minutes in the morning, followed by the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Carney does not appear on the agenda again until later in the afternoon, where he will sit alongside a handful of ministers for an...
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B.C. First Nation says plan to move Tex the grizzly was underway before it was killed
A First Nation on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast says it is “deeply saddened” by the shooting death of a grizzly bear on Texada Island this week. The Tla’amin First Nation says in a statement that it was working on a co-ordinated relocation effort for the bear with two other area nations before the bear, nicknamed Tex, was “illegally shot, maimed and killed.” It says it held a ceremony on Tuesday to honour the spirit of Tex after taking custody of his remains. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says it received a report from the RCMP on Tuesday that someone had shot and wounded the bear and it later reported finding the bear dead. The service said last month that the bear was not a good candidate for relocation because it...
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Governor General visit to Nunavut ‘like coming home’
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon wrapped up her four-day visit to Iqaluit on July 9 as part of her final stop on her Mental Health Learning and Listening Tour. But the trip was also personal for the first Inuk to hold the position of Canada’s official head of state. “I don’t get to go to the north very often anymore, but it’s like coming home,” Simon told Nunavut News in a phone interview. Simon visited Iqaluit’s Tukisigiarvik Centre and Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre on July 7 and 8 respectively, which blends both Inuit traditions and western science to treat patients with wellness programs. The Tukisigiarvik Centre offers everything from parka making and hunting skills training to laundry and resume writing...
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First Nations chiefs worry Bills 5 and C-5 will enable environmental destruction
By Allison Jones First Nations chiefs behind a legal challenge to a pair of federal and provincial laws meant to fast-track infrastructure projects say they are turning to the courts because they worry the laws will lead to environmental destruction. Nine Ontario First Nations want the court to declare the federal law known as Bill C-5 and the Ontario law known as Bill 5 unconstitutional and are seeking an injunction that would prevent the governments from using some of the most contentious aspects. Chief June Black of Apitipi Anicinapek Nation in northeastern Ontario became emotional at a press conference Wednesday, when saying that her people have been on those lands “since time immemorial.” “We have a sacred responsibility to protect the lands,” she said. “What’s about to happen is going...
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Siksika challenges province in court over coal mining moratorium
By John Watson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Strathmore Times Siksika Nation is challenging the Province of Alberta in court over their decision to end a moratorium on coal development in the Rocky Mountains. In May 2020, Siksika Nation filed a legal challenge against the province’s decision to rescind the 1976 Coal Policy, which had protected approximately 14,000 square kilometers of land in the Rocky Mountains from coal development. The lawsuit ended in May 2021 when the Coal Policy was reinstated. The province’s Coal Policy Committee was to engage with the public and consult with First Nations about coal development in the Rockies. “We are filing a judicial review on the decision to lift the coal moratorium on the eastern slopes specifically. Siksika, before they lifted that moratorium, was able to...
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Private yachts can still travel through the Northwest Passage undetected
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Inuit guardians are on the front lines of maintaining sovereignty over the Northwest Passage, but small yachts are still allowed to travel through Nunavut’s waters undetected, experts told a conference in Iqaluit on June 26. Because Inuit monitoring teams don’t have enforcement capabilities, any ships entering restricted waters in environmentally sensitive areas are simply referred to federal authorities, the Arctic Sovereignty and Security Summit heard. “We observe and report because we don’t have the power to observe a vessel unless Transport Canada comes in to do that kind of work, so we still have a gap there,” said Daniel Taukie, the Inuit Marine Monitoring Program coordinator at Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. The summit heard several accounts of Inuit spotting vessels they...
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Canada to target steel originating from China with new tariffs
By David Baxter Steel originating in China will be subjected to higher tariffs to try and prevent steel dumping amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing global trade war, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday. The prime minister toured a steel manufacturing company in Hamilton before announcing a suite of measures to protect the Canadian steel industry. The visit comes more than a month after Trump hiked tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50 per cent from 25, but for now Canada is still not adjusting its retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. steel and aluminum products that have been in place since the spring. Wednesday’s announcement included a new 25 per cent tariff on all steel products that contain metal melted and poured in China by the end of the...
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Brantford man arrested in attempted murder after violent sexual assault
Alveen Ahmad charged in violent sexual assault BRANTFORD, ONT- A 28-year-old city man is facing attempted murder, assault with a weapon, kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault after a woman was found suffering series injuries and police believe it was not an isolated attack. The BPS have arrested 28-year-old Alveen Ahmad, of Brantford in a violent physical and sexual assault and are urging other potential victims to come forward. BPS received a report Sunday, July 13, 2025, at about 10:15 a.m., of a woman being located by Ontario Provincial Police in the Golf Road near Highway 403 area, suffering serious injuries as...
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Cape Breton ride for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post The roar of at least 75 motorcycles filled the air in Membertou Saturday afternoon as their riders gathered to honour the memory of all the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children down through the decades. Membertou’s Ike Paul, whose sister was murdered over 30 years ago, led the bikers out of the parking lot on a trip from Membertou to Potlotek and finished at Whycocomagh where there was a concert planned for the evening. Featured performers were the Marshall Brothers of Eskasoni, who released their debut album. More than 75 motorcycles took part in a fund-raising rally and ride on Saturday around Cape Breton from Membertou to Whycocomagh. Above, left to right are: Ike Paul of Membertou, who led...
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First Nations chiefs worry Bills 5 and C-5 will enable environmental destruction
By Allison Jones First Nations chiefs behind a legal challenge to a pair of federal and provincial laws meant to fast-track infrastructure projects say they are turning to the courts because they worry the laws will lead to environmental destruction. Nine Ontario First Nations want the court to declare the federal law known as Bill C-5 and the Ontario law known as Bill 5 unconstitutional and are seeking an injunction that would prevent the governments from using some of the most contentious aspects. Chief June Black of Apitipi Anicinapek Nation in northeastern Ontario says the laws attempt to “bulldoze” both the land and First Nation rights and she worries they will enable mining that will harm the earth and projects that will contaminate drinking water. At a press conference about...
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City ready to welcome wildfire evacuees from St. Theresa Point First Nation, Mayor confirms
By Renee Lilley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Portage Graphic Leader As wildfires continue to ravage parts of Manitoba, Portage la Prairie is ready to welcome more evacuees, this time around from St. Theresa Point First Nation, a northern fly-in Island Lakes community forced to evacuate by the province in recent days under a state of emergency, the second one issued this summer. Mayor Sharilyn Knox confirmed on Monday, July 14, that 116 citizens will be arriving in town from the area, most of which are families. She said the city does not know how many families that number includes, but everyone has room. “We will welcome them into Portage and make sure they have what they need,” said Knox in a Monday evening social media update. She noted the Department...
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Influence of art across generations, families explored in new Banff exhibit
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook BANFF NATIONAL PARK – It’s the smell of fresh paint that takes artist Hali Heavy Shield back to her childhood. From helping her mom, Faye Heavy Shield, install pieces in galleries to learning a craft by her side, Hali’s artistic journey has always been closely tied to her mother’s. “She would have piles of grass working on a sculpture or we’d be baking, or I remember the smell of paint quite often when she’d be working on a project – things like making paper dolls,” said Hali. Now an artist and children’s book author, Hali’s work is part of the current exhibit “Elliptical Lineages” at the Banff Centre’s Walter Phillips Gallery. Exploring the influence of family members on artistic practices...
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Special Olympics bocce tournament is “a ball”
By Tara Lindemann Writer Bocce is all about the team sport, according to Special Olympics Ontario Summer Games athlete, Tammi Dougan. “I like playing with my friends,” said the Brantford resident team member. She said she first played for the Stratford team for years before moving to Brantford. “This is my first time playing in the provincial games, but I like it,” said Dougan. “I get to socialize, I like playing with everyone.” More than 1,000 athletes are competing in the Games, which lasted from July 10 to 13, playing with and against one another in the sports of bocce, golf, soccer and softball. Brantford Police Services, Six Nations Police and OPP hosted the provincial event, held throughout Brantford, Paris and Six Nations. “It’s a good cause,” said volunteer and...
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Six Nations Elected Council may shut down council live streaming
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is considering shutting down the live streaming of its council meetings and holding in-person public sessions only to prevent non-Six Nations people from accessing SNEC data. Councillor Dean Hill, Chair of the Data Governance Committee, says while he wants to share information with members he only wants to do it in-person. “When we stream it live, anybody and everybody can watch, right?” Hill said. “We want to share the information with the community members, not necessarily the entire world.” Hill told SNEC’s July 8 council meeting he and the data committee are exploring new ways to share information with community members while protecting sensitive data including moving back to in-person meeting access only. He did not explain what the sensitive data...
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Indigenous Services Canada to test more wells for elevated strontium levels
By Tara Lindemann Writer A geological survey performed on Six Nations of the Gand River (SNGR) last fall has revealed that six of nine household wells tested positive for elevated levels of strontium. “The Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) project was designed as a geological study, not a drinking water safety study,” stated SNGR Public Relations Coordinator, Darrien Bomberry. “Samples were taken from outdoor taps and were not filtered, which limited our ability to assess the actual risk to household drinking water and the findings were treated as a preliminary flag rather than a confirmed public health concern. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) claimed it was notified last September that at least four wells on the territory tested positive for contaminants. Band administration has now issued a second message in less than...
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Councillor Amos Key taking on health care system…wants “state-of-the art” system
Six Nations needs more health care options, more doctors, and more funding to attain those goals. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is preparing to host Dr. Jane Philpott, Chair of Ontario’s Primary Care Action Team and former federal Minister of Health, on July 23 to raise urgent concerns ranging from the community’s exclusion from Ontario’s new primary care strategy to an integrated health facility. Councillor Amos Key, chair of the Wellbeing Committee confirmed her visit during the July 8th SNEC General Council meeting as part of his committee update. “That’s going to be great because there are lots of things we want to share with her,” Key said. The province’s current approach to primary care expansion has left First Nations, including Six Nations, out of policy and funding conversations, he...
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Ontario’s new presumed consent Organ Donation legislation infringes on Indigenous cultural and spirtual beliefs
Six Nations is preparing to formally oppose Ontario’s Bill 4, the Peter Kormos Memorial Act, due to serious cultural and consultation concerns about the proposed organ donation legislation. Councillor Amos Key, chair of the Wellbeing Committee gave a committee update to Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) at the General Council meeting on July 8 describing the legislation as “significant” for First Nations, “because of significant cultural considerations.” Bill 4, currently in second reading as of June 16, would shift Ontario to a presumed consent model for organ and tissue donation, meaning individuals would be automatically considered donors unless they explicitly opt out. “We are wanting to send a letter with our disappointment in not being engaged or consulted on that,” Key said. “We are against the legislation.” Director of Wellbeing...
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Six Nations encourages measles vaccinating as Ontario outbreak grows
By Tara Lindemann Writer Ontario has received reports of 2,230 cases of measles in 2025, according to Public Health Ontario’s Enhanced Epidemiological Summary. Although there are no reported cases in Six Nations of the Grand River in that period, the report revealed that the second-largest Ontario-wide outbreak since October 18, 2024 occurred next door. Grand Erie Public Health has reported 289 cases of measles in Brant County, accounting for 13 percent of infected Ontarians. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that remains in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Symptoms include a fever and small, white spots inside the mouth; red, watery eyes and cough, and a rash forms at least three to five days after symptoms reveal themselves. Measles offers a 90 percent infection...
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