North Shore nonprofit gives urban Indigenous people ‘ACCESS’ to trades training
By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Shore News A hands-on program based in West Vancouver is giving urban Indigenous women a boost in finding jobs in the trades sector. The non-profit Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services (ACCESS) has wrapped up their Try a Trade For Indigenous Women program, giving folks sample training in pipefitting, welding and electrical. The organization is one of the most comprehensive Indigenous training providers in Canada, offering a variety of training and employment programs and services while supporting 49 per cent of Indigenous trade apprentices in the province, according to their 2023/24 annual report. Recent data from ACCESS shows that 15 per cent of their learners are women, which is three times more than the national average. “Many of our people are in poverty,...
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Three’s company in Pangnirtung election race
By Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Three men in Pangnirtung are vying to be the community’s next MLA, after Margaret Nakashuk announced last month she will not seek a third term in office. The three candidates are Andrew Nakashuk, Johnny Mike and Nathaniel Julai Alikatuktuk. Nakashuk, who is married to the riding’s outgoing MLA, enters the race with experience working at the municipal, territorial and federal levels of government and as vice-chairperson of Qulliq Energy Corp. Last year, he ran for president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and finished third behind winner Jeremy Tunraluk and runner-up Cathy Towtongie. Nakashuk said in an interview that Pangnirtung needs an upgraded arena, an elders’ home and a wildlife officer to work at the local wildlife office. He promises to be a...
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Trump issues disaster declarations for Alaska and other states but denies Illinois and Maryland
By Gabriela Aoun Angueira President Donald Trump approved major disaster declarations for Alaska, Nebraska, North Dakota and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe late Wednesday, while denying requests from Vermont, Illinois and Maryland and leaving other states still waiting for answers. The decisions fell mostly along party lines, with Trump touting on social media Wednesday that he had “won BIG” in Alaska in the last three presidential elections and that it was his “honor” to deliver for the “incredible Patriots” of Missouri, a state he also won three times. The disaster declarations authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support recipients with federal financial assistance to repair public infrastructure damaged by disasters and, in some cases, provide survivors money for repairs and temporary housing. While Trump has approved more disaster...
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B.C. First Nations make legal challenges to huge Ksi Lisims LNG project
By Darryl Greer Two British Columbia First Nations are taking the federal government to court to quash a decision approving the Ksi Lisims floating natural-gas facility and marine export terminal. The Lax Kw’alaams Band and the Metlakatla First Nation filed separate judicial reviews in Federal Court earlier this month, alleging the Minister of Environment and Climate Change ignored their concerns about the adverse impacts of the massive LNG project. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada announced last month that the minister had given the greenlight to the facility off the northwest coast of B.C. Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson hailed the decision — just hours after B.C. issued an approval — as an example of the federal government’s “one project, one review” system in which it relied on the province...
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Liberals table crime bill to restrict access to bail, impose tougher sentences
By David Baxter The Liberal government tabled legislation Thursday morning that would make it harder to get bail for a variety of offences, including vehicle thefts, extortion and breaking and entering. The bill would impose a reverse onus on bail for certain offences. That would move the burden of proof from the prosecutor to the accused, meaning they would have to justify being granted bail. The Criminal Code already has a reverse onus for bail in place for many serious offences, including murder. The legislation says judges would be required to impose weapons bans on people charged with extortion or offences related to organized crime when they do receive bail. The bill also would allow for consecutive sentences for violent and repeat offenders, so that multiple sentences could not be...
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MNR investigating incidents of deer shot in Brant County and Hamilton
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is investigating two recent incidents of deer being shot at night in Brant County and Hamilton. Conservation officers are seeking assistance from the public regarding: One deer that was shot and retrieved on East River Road in the Glen Morris area of Brant County on Oct. 19, around 11:00 p.m. Another deer that was shot and abandoned on Ferguson Road in the Jerseyville area of Hamilton on Oct. 20, around 10:45 p.m. Officers are particularly interested in information related to a dark-coloured Dodge Ram, as it may be connected to both occurrences. Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation is encouraged to call the ministry’s TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 or contact their local ministry office. If they wish to remain anonymous, they...
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Legal-fees battle starts in title claim that will cost millions
By John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner The judges at New Brunswick’s highest court are wrestling with how to award costs in the first part of a massive and complex litigation that has entangled the province’s biggest landowners. The New Brunswick Court of Appeal heard arguments Tuesday from three timber firms that successfully argued their case in preliminary motions in a lower court in the Wolastoqey Nation’s big title claim for about 60 per cent of the province’s territory. In an unusual twist, the judges heard from the parties before issuing a ruling on their appeal, expected sometime before the end of the year. In most appeal court cases, the judges simply award basic legal costs of a few thousand dollars, along with their judgment. But this...
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First Nations leaders condemn Ontario legislation they say could backfire on major project development
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com First Nations leaders believe damage has already been done by the passage of controversial Ontario legislation Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025. But they remain hopeful that First Nations will have input into any project considered on their lands. The bill was passed by the provincial government this past June and works to speed up approvals for major infrastructure, mining and resource projects in Ontario by streamlining regulations. “The legislation has been passed,” said Marsha Smoke, Anishinabek Nation Southeast regional chief. She was speaking on a panel Oct. 16 at the Anishinabek Nation Economic Development Opportunities Forum held on Chippewas of Rama First Nation. “The regulations are already in the process of being drafted, so I don’t have...
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Montour named as MCK’s Justice Services Division’s new Complaints Officer
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Martha Montour has been appointed as the new Complaints Officer of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake’s (MCK) Justice Services Division. Montour was appointed to the position through a resolution from the Kahnawake Justice Commission on October 13. She formally took her oath of office on Tuesday morning, with MCK’s Justice Services announcing her appointment to the public later that same day. Montour told Iorì:wase that she was encouraged to take the position by MCK’s Commissioner of Justice Kevin Fleischer. “Her background in law and ethics makes her well-suited to ensure a fair and transparent process for all parties involved in a complaint,” Fleischer said. Montour has an extensive background working in the legal field as both a lawyer and a mediator, spanning...
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Moose seized from Kahnawa’kehró:non harvesters by provincial wildlife protection officers
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Quebec’s wildlife protection officers have allegedly seized two moose from a group of Kahnawa’kehró:non hunters in the Gaspé peninsula earlier this month. The incident has sparked outrage in Kahnawake, with many considering it a clear violation of Indigenous harvesting rights protected under both the Canadian Constitution and Quebec Common Law. Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) Chief David Diabo, who is coordinating MCK’s response to the incident, says the MCK unequivocally denounces the action. Diabo stressed these kinds of situations “have to stop.” According to Diabo, the incident took place on Friday, October 10, near the town of Matane, Quebec, and involved three Kahnawa’kehró:non hunters between the ages of 20 and 30. Officers approached the group in response to complaints from local residents...
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‘Wishes of Alma’s mother have been honoured and they rest together’
By Aastha Sethi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon is asking the Northwest Territories government to change legislation to help families repatriate the remains of children who died at residential schools. At the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Edjericon spoke about a service he attended to bring home the remains of a young Indigenous girl named Alma. Alma passed away more than 80 years ago while attending the former St Joseph’s Residential School, Edjericon said, and the repatriation marked the restoration of “a fundamental human right” that had long been denied to Indigenous families – the right to “lay loved ones to rest according to our own wishes and traditions.” While those rights are clearly outlined within the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous...
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Indigenous family services organization seeks funds for youth conference
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A family service organization serving Indigenous youth in the region is looking for assistance to attend a national conference. The Nenan Dane Zaa Deh Zona Family Services Society is based in Fort St. John, and since its founding has expanded beyond just child welfare services, according to executive director Derian Young. “The original intent of our agency was to pursue jurisdiction over child welfare for our region,” said Young. “We work within indigenous child and youth mental health, [working] with Indigenous children and youth in care, Indigenous child development and then we also do advocacy and support for any families at risk.” Part of the support includes providing participation in First Nations youth events, including the Gathering our Voices event focusing on teenagers aged 14...
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Wildfire fighters, evacuees call on feds to restore funds for equipment and training
By Nick Murray When Jennifer Saulnier fled her home with her dog in Tantallon, N.S., in May 2023, her phone started buzzing as she sat in stalled traffic. Her home monitoring system alerted her first to a window break, then smoke, then fire. Five minutes after “narrowly escaping” from her driveway, she said, her house was gone. “Like many Canadians, I thought climate change was something that would affect future generations,” she told a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, holding one of her son’s charred hockey medals and a melted coin given to him by his grandparents. “I know the impacts of climate change are here. I lived through it, and we’re not ready.” Saulnier, volunteer firefighters and Indigenous wildfire guardians are meeting with MPs this week to push...
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‘Reigniting conversations’: Family services society Nenan Dane Zaa Deh Zona hosts open house and annual general meeting
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A local family services organization dedicated to assisting families in the Indigenous community hosted an open house alongside its annual general meeting. The Nenan Dane Zaa Deh Zona Family Services Society is located in downtown Fort St. John, offering services including “nurturing the creation of child-centered systems of support that honor and meaningfully engage children and families by linking to their distinct culture, traditional practices and languages,” according to its website. The organization currently offers services to local First Nations in the area as well as members of the region’s Métis community, said executive director Derian Young. “The purpose of Nenan from the beginning was to pursue the reclamation of our inherent rights and responsibilities for our children,” said Young. “As times progress, things have...
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Community backs Eskasoni fire chief after driving, assault charges
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post Eskasoni First Nation is standing by its community fire chief after a recent arrest for driving and assault infractions. Fire Chief Fred Sylliboy, whose first language is Mi’kmaq, says a situation that occurred on Oct. 10 on Route 223 was all a misunderstanding, and he is upset that language interpreters weren’t called in by the RCMP on the scene, even though he had asked for them. On Oct. 10, RCMP received a call about a truck being driven erratically. The police pulled 58-year-old Sylliboy over in front of his family home in Eskasoni. “How come they’re pulling me over?” Sylliboy said during an interview with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). “They said, ‘You’re reported for impaired driving.’ I said...
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The story of Jordin Tootoo as told by him
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News He defined the heart and soul of the game of hockey, the Kivalliq region of Nunavut and his Inuit culture and heritage with his determination to succeed and never give up, no matter how much pain he was in. Now, a year after its initial release, the documentary TOOTOO is picking up steam again after hitting the TV airwaves with Super Channel. In the documentary, Tootoo said that the echoes of alcohol, violence and abuse would replay in his mind until he would transform that pain into a fierce rage on the ice. When speaking to his battle with addiction, he noted that everyone fights a fight that no one knows about. “In order to really grasp the lifestyle, you have...
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A list of promises from Saskatchewan’s speech from the throne
As politicians return to Saskatchewan’s legislature, Premier Scott Moe’s government is promising new rules to get tough on drugs and to help those battling addictions. Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre outlined the government’s goals and priorities in the speech from the throne. Involuntary drug treatment The throne speech says the province plans to introduce the Compassionate Intervention Act, which would order those with addictions to receive treatment against their will. Moe says the legislation would only apply in extreme circumstances when someone is facing arrest. Cracking down on drugs The province plans to introduce the Response to Illicit Drugs Act, which is aimed at cracking down on those who profit from selling drugs. Moe says details will come later, but he wants the province to eradicate fentanyl and methamphetamine. Building schools The...
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Poilievre defends RCMP comments, denies saying Trudeau should be in jail
By Anja Karadeglija Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre defended his comments about the RCMP Wednesday and denied saying former prime minister Justin Trudeau should be in jail. “That’s not what I said,” he said on Parliament Hill when asked about a recent interview on a YouTube channel. In that interview, which ran on the Northern Perspective channel last week, Poilievre called the RCMP’s leadership “despicable” and accused it of covering up for Trudeau. “Many of the scandals of the Trudeau era should have involved jail time,” he said. “Trudeau broke the Criminal Code when he took a free vacation from someone with whom he had government business.” “If the RCMP had been doing its job and not covering up for him, then he would have been criminally charged,” Poilievre added in...
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NDP leadership contenders pitch their vision to party membership at first forum
By David Baxter The five official candidates for the federal NDP leadership met for the first time Wednesday night in Ottawa at a forum hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress. Each candidate was given 10 minutes to introduce themselves to labour leaders and the broader party membership and outline why they should be the next NDP leader. Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, conducted interviews with each candidate asking them about their message to workers, why they are running and what their Day 1 priority would be. The friendly event was a lead-in for the first debate between the candidates, which was formally announced for Nov. 27 in Montreal. Rob Ashton Rob Ashton, a 30-year dockworker and president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, said he...
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A timeline of US attacks in the Caribbean and what Congress has had to say
By Ben Finley And Konstantin Toropin WASHINGTON (AP) — In less than two months, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth say the U.S. military has killed 34 people in eight strikes against drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Trump has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. He has asserted the U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, relying on the same legal authority used by the Bush administration when it declared a war on terror after the Sept. 11 attacks. But as the number of strikes has grown, a debate in Congress has escalated over the limits of the president’s power. The attacks have occurred without any legal investigation or a...
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