Carney, Poilievre align on pipelines as Trump and trade loom over French debate
By Nick Murray Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre aligned on support for new oil and gas pipelines as a matter of national security during the French language election debate Wednesday night. Dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump was a running theme as the four main federal party leaders took the stage in Montreal for the first of two debates. Even the debate moderator Patrice Roy cited the elephant in the room as he pitched questions on immigration, affordability and Canadian identity. During an exchange on climate change, Poilievre argued Canada needs to build a national pipeline, highlighting how Alberta oil and gas is transported east through pipelines passing into the United States. “Quebecers that buy Alberta oil, it needs to go through the United States, giving...
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Throne speech ignites outcry over Ford’s environmental rollbacks
By Abdul Matin Sarfraz / Canada’s National Observer / Local Journalism Initiative Despite years of public outcry and widespread criticism from experts and advocates over weakened conservation laws, the Ford government doubled down on its first day back in power — vowing to slash environmental oversight to fast-track mineral and infrastructure projects. Critics warn the plan will gut crucial environmental reviews, provoke legal battles, spark First Nations resistance and further weaken protections already under strain. The backlash follows Tuesday’s throne speech, which pledged new legislation to “streamline” environmental assessment in order to fast-track major infrastructure projects and development in Ontario’s Ring of Fire. While the government frames the move as a response to US trade tensions, saying Ontario is fighting for the future of its economy, opponents call it a...
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On the banks of a N.S. river, elver fishers from a Mi’kmaq First Nation defy Ottaw
By Michael Tutton As night falls along the banks of the Fitzroy River, Tabitha Morrison pauses from dipping her net for baby eels, and explains why she believes Ottawa’s rules shouldn’t govern Indigenous fishers. “We’re out here trying to make a living,” said the Mi’kmaq fisher in an interview Tuesday about 50 kilometres west of Halifax, where headlamps of 15 other fishers intermittently brightened the tidal waters. “There are catch limits we follow …. We have the right to self-govern ourselves and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Morrison, 38. The member of Sipekne’katik First Nation was harvesting baby eels, known as elvers, migrating along the waterway — even as the federal Fisheries Department had assigned the harvesting rights in the river to a non-Indigeous, commercial licence holder. After chaos...
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Grassy Narrows grassroots hold rally in Kenora
KENORA – Grassy Narrows community members hosted a rally Tuesday afternoon in downtown Kenora to send a message to federal politicians: Respect First Nations’ right to say no to nuclear waste disposal. The rally followed an email sent “on behalf of families from Grassy Narrows First Nation” to the members of Parliament for Kenora-Kiiwetinoong, Thunder Bay-Rainy River, Thunder Bay-Superior North and three other northern Ontario ridings. That letter asks each MP “to clearly state your position on the proposed nuclear waste disposal site near Ignace during this (April 28) federal election.” The Nuclear Waste Management Organization, a federally mandated body funded by Canada’s nuclear power producers, wants to construct a deep-underground repository for spent nuclear fuel at a site west of Ignace and east of Wabigoon Lake First Nation. “Voters...
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Beardmore, Nakina losing skating rinks
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source GREENSTONE — Municipal councillors decided Monday night that residents of Beardmore and Nakina will continue to have indoor space for curling and community events but not skating and hockey next winter. In motions passed after much debate and four deputations, councillors decided to permanently cease operation of the two communities’ indoor skating rinks this year. But the motions spared the Beardmore and Nakina curling rinks from closure and directed municipal staff to continue with public engagement and consultations regarding community facilities. “I’m overall pretty pleased with being able to retain the curling side of the (Beardmore) complex,” said Rick Mikesh, a pastor in Beardmore who made a deputation to Greenstone council last October but could not attend Monday’s proceedings. “We’re...
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Hand games tournament returning to Ecole Providence
By Emily Plihal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, South Peace News Ecole Providence in McLennan is excited to welcome back its annual Hand Games competition, set to take place on April 25. “We decided to organize a hand games competition after it was discussed at our First Nations, Metis, and Inuit meeting,” says FNMI Indigenous coordinator and educational assistant Norma Chalifoux. “We’ve called the games Holy Family Catholic Regional Division 2025 Hand Games.” The games will be hosted at the school on Friday, April 25 with grand entry at 10 a.m. and games played until 2 p.m. Chalifoux says the games are a lot of fun and have cultural significance. “I find the importance of hand games to give other cultures a chance to play our game and to see how...
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Taking steps to reduce alcoholism, self-harm and suicide
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News While Nunavut remains home to the country’s highest rates of suicide and self-harm, and very high rates of hospitalizations due to alcohol, the territory is taking steps to reduce those numbers. These harms are linked to the social and health inequalities experienced by the population due to colonialism, according to a Canadian Mental Health Association report released late in 2024. David Tulugak of Rankin Inlet said the reasons behind suicide remain complex but, in his opinion, although the effects of colonialism are still evident, they are starting to fade a bit as the years roll past. And, he said, in many cases, alcoholism is long overdue to be cut down, so that children in the community may benefit. “I don’t like...
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Two men charged with murder of man found behind Winnipeg home
WINNIPEG MAN-Police say two men have been charged with murder after a body was found behind a home. Bronson Emery Dale Kequahtooway was discovered dead on March 28. Police say the 30-year-old had been living in Winnipeg but was originally from the Zagime Anishinabek First Nation in Saskatchewan. The two accused from Winnipeg are charged with second-degree murder, along with weapons and drug offences. Police say two men and two women have also been charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Media reports from the scene showed a row of garbage and recycling bins partially covered with a black tarp and police tape. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2025. ...
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Brantford Traffic Stop Leads to Drug and Weapons Charges for 3 Brantford Men
By Joshua Santos Turtle Island News BRANTFORD, ONT-Three Brantford men are facing drug trafficking and weapons charges after police seized suspected fentanyl, crack cocaine, brass knuckles, and other illegal items during a traffic stop. Brantford Police Service (BPS)officers conducted the stop on a vehicle travelling along Brock Street on April 9, according to a BPS news release. Three men were in the vehicle, including a driver who police said was driving with a suspended licence and wanted on a warrant. During the traffic stop BPS said a bag containing a white powdered substance was seen, in plain view, prompting a search of the vehicle and its occupants. As a result police seized approximately 22.7 grams of suspected fentanyl, about 10 grams of suspected crack cocaine, nearly 24 tablets of dilaudid,...
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Sharing who they are from Blackfoot to Six Nations
From Blackfoot to Mohawk: Indigenous Students are Connecting Across Provinces in Cultural Exchange Program By Joshua Santos Writer Children from two Indigenous schools, separated by more than 3,000 kilometers, found common ground through language, tradition, and storytelling in a cultural exchange program connecting Alberta and Ontario. Students from Napi’s Playground Elementary School on the Piikani Nation in southern Alberta recently met with their peers at Oliver M. Smith Kawenni:io (OMSK) Elementary School in Six Nations on March 10. “It was cool, I like their traditions and how they dance,” said OMSK Grade 5 student Madisyn Hess. “They had a whole bunch of beading.” The visit marked a rare opportunity for children to immerse themselves in another Indigenous culture while strengthening pride in their own. “I think it expands the world...
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Six Nations Elected Council has received $115 mllion from OLG
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations is being warned it may want to dial down the rhetoric about its gaming ambitions before the province decides to step in and shut it down. The warning came from Steve Williams, Ontario First Nations Limited Partnership (OFNLP) representative. Williams was making a presentation to Six Nations Elected Council’s General Finance meeting on the OFNLP funds when he broached the topic. He said he knows Six Nations has ambitions when it comes to gaming and if SNEC wants that to come to fruition, they need to keep it to themselves. “I know you want your own casino,” Williams said. During Williams’ presentation he also told SNEC Six Nations has received $115 million from the fund since the 2008 Ontario First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing...
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First Nations Leaders Push for Action on Priorities Ahead of Federal Election
Joshua Santos Writer Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation have joined a chorus of First Nations leaders calling on political candidates and parties to champion a set of key priorities that will impact Indigenous communities in the future. The priorities, outlined in Pathways to Progress: First Nations Priorities for Federal Policy Reform by the Chiefs of Ontario, focuses on economic resilience, community safety, and upholding legal commitments. Leadership stresses that a prosperous future for Canada can only be achieved through close collaboration with First Nations, particularly in sectors such as mining and resource development, education, and healthcare. “Canada is facing immense pressure to its economic security amid rising border tensions with Canada’s closest ally, the United States of America,” said Ogimaa-Kwe Chief Claire Sault. “In response, Canada must endeavor to...
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Increase in policing needed
First Nations across the country have long been communities of entrepreneurs. In fact, First Nations people across the country have, despite all the obstacles put in place, found ways to turn a negative into a positive. From band councils joining forces with corporate Canada to individuals launching their own businesses and working hard to keep them afloat, especially with the difficult times we find ourselves heading into thanks to the US.’s new president. While First Nations have enjoyed the freedom of entrepreneurship along with that freedom comes the responsibility to keep your community safe. One can’t be sure that is always happening. Lately warehouse styled factories have begun sprouting up all over the community and along with them comes a small army of non-community members seeking employment. And that has...
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Today in history
April 14 In 2016 the Supreme Court of Canada, in a long-awaited landmark decision that was 15 years in the making, unanimously ruled that 600,000 Metis and off-reserve Indians across the country are “Indians’’ under the Constitution and are the federal government’s fiduciary responsibility. April 15 In 1672, a royal edict prohibited fur traders from going to Indian villages. It forced natives to take their furs to the settlements. In 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced federal funding of $8.2 billion over 10 years for the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia. April 16 In 1874, Provencher MP Louis Riel was expelled from the Commons as a fugitive. The Metis leader was wanted in Ontario for the 1870 execution of Orangeman Thomas Scott during the “Red River Uprising.” In...
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: It Is Time For Healing
By Xavier Kataquapit www.underthenorthernsky.com I think all of us northerners are fed up with this long and dismal winter. The misery is made because so many people in my life have passed away this winter over the past month. It does not feel like spring. I have lost my cousin Norman Kataquapit, a kind and gentle man I grew up with. I know his brothers Robert, Billy, Steve, Ron, Eric and Lindy and their families and friends will always hold the memory of Norman in their hearts. It’s especially sad as our families have only recently recovered after losing their brother Jeffery just over a year ago. In the same week, another cousin and childhood friend Joe Wheesk passed. He was one of the bright lights from our community who...
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Jamieson hits 1,000-point plateau in NL
By Sam Laskaris Writer Jammer has joined some elite company. That’s would be Six Nations star lacrosse player Cody Jamieson, who is nicknamed Jammer. Jamieson, who is the captain of the Halifax Thunderbirds, registered his 1,000th career point in the professional National Lacrosse League (NLL) this past Saturday. Jamieson and his teammates hit the road for a contest hosted by the two-time defending NLL champion Buffalo Bandits. He entered the contest needing four points to hit 1,000 points. After scoring once and picking up a pair of assists earlier in the match, Jamieson scored again with just under 10 minutes remaining in the fourth and final quarter to hit the milestone mark. Jamieson becomes the 17th player in NLL history to earn 1,000 points. But he is the first Indigenous...
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Six Nations Ironmen take top honours at Gatineau hockey tournament
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Ironmen will enter a national tournament next month on a bit of a high. The local hockey squad is one of 40 men’s teams that will participate in the Fred Sasakamoose Chief Thunderstick National Hockey Championship. The tournament will be held May 15-18 in Saskatoon. Organizers of the national tourney also staged a 10-team Eastern Warm-Up event, which concluded on Sunday in Gatineau, Que. The Ironmen did not get off to a good start in the double-knockout tourney, losing to a Quebec-based squad called Shakash on Friday. That meant the Six Nations club would be eliminated if it suffered another loss in the event. But as it turned out, the Ironmen registered five consecutive victories, four of those on Sunday, to be crowned...
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Local lacrosse player hoping to compete at Canada Summer Games
By Sam Laskaris Writer A teenage lacrosse player from Six Nations is one step away from participating in this year’s Canada Summer Games. It was announced last week that is one of those selected to the list of the top 24 athletes being considered for the Team Ontario girls’ under-17 squad. The final roster of 18 players that will compete at the Games will be announced next month. The six individuals who do not make the final cut will be named alternates for the team. The multi-sport Canada Summer Games are held every foFarah Garlowur years. This year’s Games are set for Aug. 8-17 in St. John’s, the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador. Garlow, who is 15, has attended various tryouts for the Ontario squad since this past fall....
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Six Nations partners with McMaster University on $24M brain health research program
By Joshua Santos Writer SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER-Six Nations is partnering with McMaster University on a $24 million Indigenous-led brain health research project funded by the federal government. The group was awarded the funds to transform brain health and develop a bundle of dementia assessment tools that will benefit Indigenous groups across Ontario, Canada and around the world. “This national project includes team member researchers from Six Nations who work at McMaster University and researchers, Jacqui Powless, who work at the Six Nations Department of Planning, Performance and Evaluation,” said Jennifer Walker, associate professor with McMaster University’s Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact. “We spent time with the Director of the Department of Well-Being to design a project that would be responsive to the Six Nations...
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