‘Kin, not evacuees’: inside Kingston’s support for Kashechewan Cree residents
By Michelle Dorey Forestell, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kingstonist.com More than a month after arriving in Kingston, residents from Kashechewan First Nation are still living in hotel rooms far from home, adjusting to unfamiliar routines, coping with uncertainty, and navigating the emotional strain of displacement. More than 250 people from the northern Ontario Cree community were relocated to Kingston beginning Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, after a critical failure in Kashechewan’s water system left residents without safe drinking water. Many are considered ‘tier one’ or especially vulnerable evacuees, including elders, young families, and individuals with complex medical needs. At the centre of the local response is the Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest (KNCLN), which has been coordinating cultural supports, programming, and community connections for displaced people. For Executive Director Brandon...
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Four more recall petitions against Alberta politicians fail as 10 reach the deadline
By Jack Farrell At least four more recall petitions against Alberta politicians have failed. But that number may increase, as 10 petitions were due in to Elections Alberta on Monday. The petitioner targeting Alberta’s Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney says the campaign gathered roughly 3,400 signatures, far fewer than the nearly 15,000 it needed. Melissa Craig said Monday she was optimistic at first, but after the campaign got underway collecting signatures became a “slog.” Craig said while she’s still proud of the result, she was disappointed in how little some Albertans are engaged politically. “A lot of people didn’t even know what a (member of the legislative assembly or MLA) was,” she said. “It’s kind of scary, actually.” “It’s really opened my eyes to what our government is looking like...
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Province, feds waive over $1.5M in town’s legal fees over Point Park
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com FORT FRANCES — Fort Frances’s mayor says he’s very thankful for help the town received over a large legal bill. In a public statement on Feb. 11, the municipality confirmed both the Ontario and Canadian governments agreed to waive over $1.5 million in legal fees Fort Frances was ordered to pay them. The ruling came as Fort Frances lost complex, decades-long litigation involving the town, Queen’s Park, Ottawa and four nearby First Nations over ownership of Point Park. Fort Frances unsuccessfully tried to establish legal title to the lands; a June 2025 ruling by Superior Court Justice J.S. Fregeau said that had no merit, and the town had entered into a 99-year lease with the federal government which ended in 2009. “The...
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FACT FOCUS: A look at Trump’s false and misleading claims ahead of the State of the Union
By Melissa Goldin President Donald Trump will deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term on Tuesday. Priorities for the Republican’s administration have centered largely on the economy, immigration, crime, energy and national security. Trump has spent the last year touting his accomplishments while mocking the record of his predecessor, former President Joe Biden. But much of this bluster is based on false and misleading claims — many of which are likely to be a part of the president’s address to the nation. Here’s a look at some of the false and misleading statements Trump has made at recent public appearances. Economy Trump often says the U.S. is now “the hottest country anywhere in the world” after years as a “dead country.” The U.S. economy was...
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Martha Jaw remembered as thoughtful, caring community leader for Kinngait
By Arty Sarkisian, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Martha Jaw — a Kinngait pastor, community leader and passionate advocate for Inuit culture — died early on Feb. 18 after a long battle with pneumonia and kidney failure, her granddaughter Neevee Jaw said. She was 75. “She was a very charismatic person, and she was very thoughtful,” said Neevee Jaw. As Kinngait’s sole pastor, in 2024 Martha Jaw opened the doors of her Full Gospel church to all Christians in the community of about 1,400 people after a spree of fires destroyed Kinngait’s two other churches. Over the years, she also operated food programs to ensure people had access to country food. “Anybody who approached her needing help, she would help them without batting an eye or asking any uncomfortable...
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‘We need to act,’ health minister says as Canada seeks feedback on men’s health
By Sarah Ritchie Canada needs to take action to improve the health of men and boys, Health Minister Marjorie Michel said Monday as she launched an online consultation to inform a national strategy. Michel made the announcement in Ottawa with MPs from other parties in attendance. She said the government’s approach to the issue must be non-partisan and the solutions will require co-operation among governments and community organizations. The federal government is seeking feedback from people across the country through an online consultation that will run from March 2 to June 1. “We invite everyone, and especially men, to participate in this important conversation,” she said. Richie Bullbrook, a skateboarder on Canada’s national team and a 2028 Olympic hopeful, spoke at the event about his own mental health and the...
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Grand Erie Public Health issues cold notification
BRANTFORD, ON – A cold alert has been issued for Brantford-Brant and Haldimand Norfolk by the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for Grand Erie Public Health. Effective February 23, 2026 a Cold Notification is issued by the MOH for parts or areas of the region when temperatures are expected to drop below -15 ºC, or when wind chill values reach -20 ºC . The temperatures put everyone at risk. In temperatures of -15°C or colder, unprotected skin can freeze in less than 30 minutes and the risk of developing hypothermia is high. Some groups are particularly vulnerable to the frigid temperatures, including, older adults, infants and young children, people with chronic illnesses such as breathing difficulties or heart conditions, people taking certain prescription medication, those experiencing homelessness, people working or...
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‘It’s exciting’: Building delivery for MRI is ‘fantastic’ mayor says
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com SIOUX LOOKOUT — There’s even more visible progress towards the opening of Sioux Lookout’s first MRI scanner. SDI Canada, a medical equipment and infrastructure company, announced it delivered and set the modular structures on Feb. 18, which will house the medical device. Officials with the Meno Ya Win Health Centre have said they expect to start doing scans this summer. The company’s founding president Toufic Abiad said, from a construction standpoint, using buildings that are built elsewhere then delivered finished and installed on-site works particularly well in areas with shorter construction seasons. “As we’re preparing the site and getting all the … civil work done, the buildings are being manufactured in parallel,” he said. “That’s a huge time saver.” “You’re prepping the...
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Two more recall petitions against Alberta politicians fail as 10 reach the deadline
By Jack Farrell At least two more recall petitions against Alberta politicians have failed. But that number may increase as 10 petitions are due to Elections Alberta today. The petitioner targeting Alberta’s Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney says the campaign gathered roughly 3,400 signatures, far fewer than the nearly 15,000 needed. Melissa Craig says she was optimistic at first, but when the campaign got underway collecting signatures became, in her words, a “slog.” Craig says she’s still proud of the result, but says she is disappointed by how little some Albertans are engaged politically. The campaign against Advanced Education Minister Myles McDougall also says it fell short after collecting roughly 25 per cent of what was needed. More than 20 recall petitions against members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative...
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Train Tracking – Cree railway consultations rolling ahead
By Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Nation The Cree Development Corporation (CDC) is consulting with land users about a proposed railway through the territory that would be Cree owned and operated. With concerns about the Billy Diamond Highway’s deterioration, initial discussions have focused on safety. “Cree will have the final say on what goes on with the railway,” said CDC president Clarke Shecapio. “It will reduce travel and transportation costs up north 30% to 50%. We’re targeting Cree workers for operations, capacity building 80% to 90% Crees. It will be a huge project maximizing Cree opportunities in construction, lowering the risks of accidents.” With three new bulk mining operations authorized to open in the territory’s north, alleviating safety issues associated with truck traffic is urgent. When in full...
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Kahnawake withdraws Chateauguay lawsuit
By Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eastern Door Following reimbursements from Canada and Quebec last year for costs incurred in the cleanup of a 2024 fuel spill believed to have originated in Chateauguay, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) has officially withdrawn a lawsuit against the city. Following investigation by the Kahnawake Environment Protection Office (KEPO), the diesel that was found in a ditch and creek near a Zachary Road residence was attributed by the MCK to a leaking oil tanker just 250 metres from Kahnawake. That spill, at 2325 Ford Boulevard in Chateauguay, was discovered by the city on February 1, but Kahnawake was not informed. It wasn’t until after February 9, when fuel was identified by community members in Kahnawake, that MCK learned of the incident...
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Charlie Lake historical site shortlisted for top Indigenous experience award
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca CHARLIE LAKE, B.C. — A local historical site with roots dating back to the Ice Age has been shortlisted for a top honour for Indigenous tourist destinations. Tse’k’wa Heritage Society’s national historic site in Charlie Lake has been shortlisted for the honour by the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) in the ‘Indigenous operator or experience’ category. Also known as the Charlie Lake cave, the site has been owned by three northeast B.C. First Nations – Doig River First Nation (DRFN), Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) and West Moberly First Nations (WMFN) – since 2012. The cave is one of the only national historic sites in Canada to be owned by the Indigenous community, and has been a gathering site for the...
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In first interview, Canada’s envoy to Greenland says new post seeks ‘concrete’ gains
By Dylan Robertson The diplomat Canada has posted to Greenland says the new consulate should lead to “concrete” gains for Canadians, while locals urge Ottawa to expand existing trade and cultural ties with the Danish territory. “This just kicks things into a new phase, a more intensive phase, being on the ground and having presence,” said Julie Crôteau, Canada’s acting consul in Greenland’s capital Nuuk. She gave The Canadian Press her first media interview since taking on the job last November. “Working together to find common solutions to a lot of the challenges, and building jointly on opportunities that are available in the northern, Arctic context — especially in the world as it is these days — I think that will be a very, very big success,” she said. Crôteau...
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Indigenous leaders outline priorities for spring sitting of Parliament
By Alessia Passafiume Indigenous leaders were braced for change after the last federal election, when Prime Minister Mark Carney’s win ushered in a new look for the Liberal government after 10 years under Justin Trudeau. That change has compelled those leaders to build relationships with new cabinet ministers and a revolving cast of public servants working on Indigenous files. First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders have a long list of priorities they want the federal government to work on, including the introduction of a series of bills on self-government and clean drinking water. Here’s what they’ll be watching for. First Nations At the Assembly of First Nations assembly last December, Carney promised to hold a meeting between First Nations leaders, the federal government and premiers. AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse...
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RCMP’s much-needed reserve program grappling with numerous challenges: report
By Jim Bronskill Challenges with recruitment, training, resources and overall management are hindering the RCMP’s reserve program, even as reservists are being called on more than ever, says an internal evaluation report. The newly released report says while the program helps fill RCMP staffing gaps across Canada, the lack of a clear mandate “results in inconsistencies and an inability of the program to meet current organizational needs.” The program is intended to hire RCMP members and former members of other Canadian police services for three-year terms to fill temporary vacancies. Based on total hours, reservists filled the equivalent of about 173 full-time positions in 2024, up from about 155 positions in 2020, the November 2025 report says. Demand for reservists has increased, given the general satisfaction with the program and...
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New Mexico launches investigation of forced sterilization of Native American women
By Savannah Peters EDGEWOOD, N.M. (AP) — In the 1970s, the U.S. agency that provides health care to Native Americans sterilized thousands of women without their full and informed consent, depriving them of the opportunity to start or grow families. Decades later, the state of New Mexico is set to investigate that troubling history and its lasting harm. New Mexico legislators approved a measure this week to have the state Indian Affairs Department and the Commission on the Status of Women examine the history, scope and continuing impact of forced and coerced sterilizations of women of color by the Indian Health Service and other providers. The findings are expected to be reported to the governor by the end of 2027. “It’s important for New Mexico to understand the atrocities that...
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B.C. paramedics union reaches agreement in principle, avoids possible job action
The union representing more than 6,000 ambulance paramedics and dispatchers in British Columbia says it has reached an agreement in principle on a new contract, avoiding the possibility of job action. The Ambulance Paramedics of BC says the deal comes after “extensive negotiations” with the Health Employers Association of BC and the provincial government. Earlier this month members voted 97 per cent in favour of strike action, putting them in a legal strike position once an essential services order was in place. Instead, the union now says it will talk to members in person and online ahead of a vote to ratify the new deal. Specifics of the deal have not been made public, but the union says in a statement that it was emphasizing the need for improvement to...
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Voyageurs in down-to-the-wire playoff push lean on Indigenous talent
By Aaron Walker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com When Portage College men’s hockey assistant coach Pierre Sparklingeyes looks back on the Voyageurs’ January exhibition series against the Chinese national men’s team, he doesn’t remember the ceremony of the event. He remembers the pace of the games and what they demanded from a roster drawn largely from northern and rural communities, including Indigenous student-athletes. “That team just came at us and at us,” Sparklingeyes told Windspeaker during an interview in Moose Jaw, Sask. on Feb. 13. The series forced his team to “keep battling through the full 60 minutes of each game.” Portage split the two-game set at the Bold Centre in Lac La Biche, Alta. winning 6–5 on Jan. 23 before dropping the rematch 3–1 on Jan. 24. Sparklingeyes is...
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History-making nine-question referendum punts Alberta into unprecedented territory
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Macleod Gazette Editor’s Note: Light profanity appears in a direct quotation in this story. A nine-question referendum announced by the premier Thursday charts new territory for direct democracy, as the government looks to define and entrench an Alberta approach for dealing with immigration and Ottawa. The UCP initiative appears to feature the most — and most complex — federal or provincial questions ever asked on a single referendum ballot in the country’s history. The electorate’s participation will help the government shield Albertans from an intrusive Ottawa and its potentially harmful policies, Danielle Smith said during a televised and streamed address. Direct Democracy or Distraction? The Opposition, however, characterized the referendum slated for Oct. 19 as an intentionally confusing misdirection, drawing attention away...
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Joy Smith Foundation hosts annual fundraiser
By Brenda Sawatzky, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Niverville Citizen The Joy Smith Foundation, soon to be headquartered in Niverville, is getting ready to launch its annual fundraising gala aimed at exposing the ugly reality of human trafficking. On March 12, the Illuminate Hope Gala will be held at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. “When it comes to human trafficking, it really is a fundamental human right to have your freedom,” says Janet Campbell, CEO of the Joy Smith Foundation. She points out that the museum is an appropriate venue, as Joy Smith herself played a role in opening the museum more than a decade ago. Today, a prominent display tells the story of how Smith paved the way to make human trafficking a punishable offence in Canada. This...
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