The Latest: The world reacts to Trump’s ‘swift and unrelenting action’ as president
-CP-President Donald Trump vowed more “swift and unrelenting action” reorienting the nation’s economy, immigration and foreign policy in an unyielding address before Congress as Democratic lawmakers showed their dissent with placards calling out “lies.” One elderly congressman faces possible censure after he was ejected for shaking his cane and shouting that Trump has no mandate to cut Medicaid. The fallout continues after Trump launched a trade war Tuesday against America’s three biggest trading partners, drawing immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada and China and sending financial markets into a tailspin as the U.S. faced the threat of rekindled inflation and paralyzing uncertainty for business. And Greenland’s prime minister declared Wednesday that “Greenland is ours” and cannot be taken or bought in defiance of a message from Trump, who said that while...
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Haida Nation signs first-of-its-kind Aboriginal title agreement with Canada
By Nora O’Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Haida Nation and the Government of Canada signed a historical agreement on Feb. 17, affirming Haida Aboriginal title on Haida Gwaii, including the islands’ land, beds of freshwater bodies, and foreshores to the low-tide mark. President of the Haida Nation Gaagwiis Jason Alsop said the milestone Chiix̲uujin/Chaaw K̲aawgaa “Big Tide (Low Water)” Agreement, which was initiated in 1913 by past Haida leaders, ushers in a new era of peaceful co-existence. “The recognition of Haida title to Haida Gwaii by Canada acknowledges historic injustices and illustrates the transformative possibilities of working together for what is right. It takes leadership to recognize a wrong, begin the process of healing from a troubled history, and trust in the ability to forge a new relationship based...
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Minister eyes 2031 completion date for Nunavut fibre internet project
By Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Four Nunavut communities could get high-speed fibre optic internet in about six years, says Community and Government Services Minister David Joanasie. Once completed, the project would connect Iqaluit, Kimmirut, Kinngait and Coral Harbour to Nunavik’s Tamaani Internet network via an underwater cable near Salluit. “It’s going to take a couple of years to link up all the communities,” Joanasie said in an interview Monday. “Our current timeline to get everything done, according to our statement of work, we’re looking at up until 2031 to have it completed by.” The CRTC announced last year it conditionally approved $271.9 million for the project. One condition was that Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., which is responsible for ensuring obligations made to Nunavut Inuit under the Nunavut...
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Alberta Firefighting support boosted at community level
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Macleod Gazette The government is throwing fuel on the firefighting in Alberta communities this year to bolster public safety. More support for training and response is being combined with enhanced collaboration to “help keep Albertans and their communities safe,” said Tany Yao, the UCP member for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo. The government is providing $585,000 to support municipal fire services and the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association. The funding is earmarked for service improvements to training, governance, local supports and other areas. A one-time increase of $500,000 goes to the province’s program of fire services training, bringing the grant total to $1 million this year. The money is available to all municipalities, Métis settlements and First Nations. “Emergency situations bring an uncertainty that can...
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Canada is now in a trade war with the U.S. — here’s what you need to know to prepare for it
By Xiaodan Pan, Associate, Benny Mantin and Martin Dresner United States President Donald Trump has officially imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, sending shockwaves through Canadian consumers and businesses. The decision escalates tensions in an increasingly fragile relationship between the countries, marking a significant shift in North American economic ties. The unfolding trade war between is expected to have far-reaching consequences for people and businesses on both sides of the border. How can Canadians navigate the trade war and minimize the financial strain of the tariffs? As experts in supply chain management, we aim to break down the impact of these tariffs and offer practical strategies for Canadians to help navigate the economic turbulence ahead. How consumers react to trade wars When the news of a...
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Indigenous speakers talk about the road they walk as two-spirit people
By Alexandra Noad, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lethbridge Herald Before settlers arrived on Turtle Island, what would later become North America, each tribe had roles for each gender. There were some members who played a part in both roles, who were considered sacred among tribes. Today they are known as two-spirit people. This identity was the belief of having both the feminine and masculine spirits in oneself and is considered more of a spiritual identity than a sexual one. When settlers arrived, Indigenous people suffered a cultural genocide, including the knowledge and respect of two-spirt people. Last Friday, All My Relations and Q-Space, two clubs for the University of Lethbridge, joined forces to bring an information session to raise awareness about two-spirit people. Three two-spirit individuals shared their experiences at...
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Historic Ontario First Nation Child Welfare agreement signed
Ontario First Nations Leaders Sign Historic Agreement with Canada to Reform Child Welfare By Joshua Santos Writer TORONTO-First Nations leaders from across the province voted in favour of a landmark agreement that could reshape Indigenous child welfare in the future. Officials from the Chiefs of Ontario, (COO) Nishnawbe Aski Nan (NAN) and the federal government signed the Ontario Final Agreement at a Special Chiefs Assembly at Toronto Airport Hilton Hotel in Mississauga on Feb. 26. The agreement aims to give First Nations governments greater control over child and family services, ensuring Indigenous children remain connected to their families, communities, and cultures. The agreement marks a major step toward addressing the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system. “We need to improve the lives of all the children who...
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Mississaugas of Credit First Nation get $30 million advance on future resolution of two treaty areas
MISSISSAUGAS OF CREDIT FIRST NATION-The Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation have accepted a $30 million advance payment from the Canadian government for a future resolution to the Nation’s Treaty 22 and 23 land claims. Ogimaa-Kwe (Chief) Claire Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) and Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, announced an agreement on March 2 at St. Regis Hotel in Toronto that will see the federal government provide an advance payment of $30 million for a future resolution of the First Nation’s Treaty 22 and Treaty 23 specific claim. “Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation see this Advance Payment as a good-faith gesture by Canada, and as evidence of its seriousness...
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Will Bouma Wins Third Term in Brantford-Brant
By Joshua Santos Writer Will Bouma is back. Progressive Conservative MPP Will Bouma sailed to victory in Brantford-Brant securing his third consecutive term with a commanding lead over his challengers. With a renewed mandate, he’s setting his sights on strengthening ties with Six Nations. He celebrated his win in this year’s provincial election with his family at the St. George Legion Branch 605 in Brantford on Feb. 27. “I was with my family and there’s always nerves,” said Bouma. “I had been told we were in a good position even by people from inside central campaign but until you see the hard and concrete numbers, you don’t know, but it was very exciting to see it come in.” Bouma captured 47.26 per cent of the vote, comfortably ahead of NDP...
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Six Nations fire responds to lodge
Six Nations Fire responded to an apparent laundry room fire at the Iroquois Lodge Sunday March 2. Six Nations Fire Chief Mike Seth said there was lot of smoke but fortunately little fire. One of the dryer units sparked but he said it was brought under control quickly. He said no staff or residents were affected by smoke. (Photo by Jim C. Powless)...
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Ottawa tells First Nations chiefs committee to sort out child welfare talks with AFN
By Alessia Passafiume Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu says Ottawa needs the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and a committee trying to renegotiate a child welfare agreement to decide who’s leading the talks before any progress can be made. “There has been confusion regarding the role of the National Children’s Chiefs Committee and whether you and the committee are the body that Canada should be working with,” says a Feb. 25 letter from Hajdu to the chair of the National Children’s Chiefs Commission. “I would encourage the National Children’s Chiefs Commission to work directly with officials from the Assembly of First Nations … to clarify this situation.” After seeing Hajdu’s letter, the Assembly of First Nations said it has made it “consistently clear” to the federal government that it must...
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Jody Wilson-Raybould offers reconciliation thoughts at Oakville conference
By Sam Laskaris Writer Former politician Jody Wilson-Raybould continues to be a huge Indigenous advocate. Wilson-Raybould, who served as Canada’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General from 2015-19, was one of the key speakers at an Oakville event this week. She spoke on Tuesday night at the Grandmother’s Voice conference being held in Oakville. The two-day event, which was continuing on Wednesday, was called Truth With Reconciliation: Respect, Restore, Relearn. Wilson-Raybould’s talk was titled Reconciling History: A Story of Canada. Grandmother’s Voice is an Indigenous organization that aims to unite Indigenous voices while extending a warm invitation to all individuals. Wilson-Raybould, a member of We Wai Kai Nation in British Columbia, spent the early portions of her Tuesday talk discussing her family, including her grandmother, and her upbringing which led...
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International Women’s Day: Six Nations women in elected politics didn’t take root until the 1960’s
By Lynda Powless Editor As we mark International Women’s Day Turtle Island News is taking a look at the history of women elected to the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) since its imposition in 1924. Six Nations has been a community hit by political turmoil since 1924 when the federal government imposed the elected system in Indigenous communities country-wide. The band councils would serve one year terms until 1951 when two year terms came. But it would be another 38 years, not til 1962, before women would become involved in the male dominated system. While they were elected, they also still reflected the times running under the title of Mrs, reflecting their marital status, as opposed to just their given first name. The first women elected in 1962 were in District...
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Nia:weh to our women on International Women’s Day
But it’s also a time to acknowledge those that work in the trenches here at Six Nations Turtle Island News’ home base where we can see first-hand their dedication. We have so many women that have over the years worked in the background to make local governance work as efficiency as possible and for the betterment of the community. At the band level Six Nations community members, despite anyone’s politics, have and are working to make sense of federal and provincial bureaucracy, no easy task by the way, to make lives easier and for that we say Nia:weh to them all. They head departments at the band administration that oversee the daily needs of the community and have for decades been our go to people when we are in need...
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Annual Little NHL tournament begins Sunday
By Sam Laskaris Writer As far as Ted Williams is concerned the best part of each year is starting this coming Sunday. That’s because we’re just a few days away from the puck dropping at the annual Little Native Hockey League tournament. For the second straight year, the event, which is often simply called the Little NHL, will primarily be staged at arenas in Markham. Rinks in neighbouring communities will also be utilized for the event, which will feature a record number of 276 participating clubs this year. Six Nations will be represented by about 20 teams in various age group categories, in both girls’ and boys’ divisions. The tournament, which is celebrating its 51st year, has become the largest Indigenous youth hockey tournament in Ontario. The tourney is open...
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Inaugural Little NHL tournament was held in Little Current
By Sam Laskaris Writer Back in the early 1970s racism was rampant on youth hockey teams. Regardless of their abilities, many Indigenous players were often excluded from participating on teams. And even those who did manage to get a roster spot, they would have their action limited as coaches would frequently prefer giving most of the ice time to non-Indigenous players. A group of First Nations men from Manitoulin Island decided to do something about that. They organized their own tournament and restricted it to just Indigenous players from Ontario. And that’s how the Little Native Hockey League tournament – frequently just called the Little NHL – was born. The inaugural tournament was held in 1971 in Little Current, the largest town on Manitoulin Island, which is the home to...
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Water First and Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council Launch Water Operator Internship Program
KENORA, Ontario, March 05, 2025 — Water First Education & Training Inc., in partnership with Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council (AKRC) participating communities and Big Island First Nation, is proud to announce a new water treatment plant operator training program for local community members. This internship supports Water First’s commitment to help develop these critical projects with communities across the country. Interns from Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council communities and Big Island First Nation will participate in the 15-month Drinking Water Internship Program to pursue valuable provincial certifications, which help trainees begin their careers in the water field. The internship launched February 10, 2025, with an Introduction Week, and will see 10 participants study safety, watersheds, water treatment and distribution, water chemistry and sampling, as well as tour the city...
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Peace River council creates $10,000 emergency fund
By Emily Plihal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, South Peace News A newly-proposed Not-for-Profit Emergency Support Fund was approved by Peace River town council at its regular meeting on Feb. 25. According to Mayor Elaine Manzer, the Town recognizes the contributions made by community organizations and volunteer groups in the community to improve the well-being of the community and quality of life for residents. Council has received many requests for assistance from not-for-profit organizations, many of which are one time or emergency circumstances where the group has encountered an issue they cannot financially address in the short term. Peace River director of community services Tanya Bell explained at the meeting that the policy had been presented to council at a Governance and Policy meeting earlier in the month, with both a...
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One moment, calm waters. The next, a 900-pound dolphin landed on their boat
By Charlotte Graham-mclay WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A placid fishing trip turned “berserk” for three New Zealand men when a dolphin weighing more than 400 kilograms (900 pounds) appeared to fall out of the sky before crash-landing in their small boat. No one was badly hurt when the 3.4 meter (11-foot) bottlenose dolphin jumped aboard the open-top boat Friday, said Dean Harrison, the owner of the nearly 16-foot vessel. Harrison and two companions were fishing near the Hole in the Rock, a picturesque spot off the far north coast of New Zealand’s North Island, while dolphins frolicked ahead. The men saw a shadow across the bright summer sun and heard an almighty boom — before chaos unfolded. “This one decided to jump on board and say hello,” Harrison said....
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