Six Nations student discusses self governance in Model Senate
By Tara Lindemann Writer Claudia Miller has walked through the halls of Parliament and resonated nation-to-nation governance to her colleagues. Miller and other post-secondary students across Canada participated in the fifth year of the Model Senate, a three-day dive into parliamentary functions: Miller’s task as a “member” of the Standing Committee was to discuss amendments to the Cannabis Act and Indigenous rules for the sale of cannabis. “It got me really thinking about issues,” said the 23-year-old University of Toronto student. “Obviously for Six Nations we have our own police, but for other nations, we need to put in somewhere a funding mechanism for nations that don’t have their own police force, or don’t have access to those types of resources to even enforce the bill we were discussing.” Sen....
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Six Nations Elected Council gets new CEO
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) appointed new executive leadership, naming Tracy Brant as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Debra Jonathan as Chief Operating Officer (COO). The pair were mentioned during SNEC’s General Finance meeting on June 2, but neither spoke, and no formal introduction was given. Brant, a member of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, previously served as Chief Administrative Officer for the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) for a short period and she led The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Education Department as well at the Education Department at the Chippewas of the Thames. She steps into the CEO role with a background in Indigenous administration and executive leadership, including experience overseeing intergovernmental relations and organizational development. She was the Director of Community Wellbeing at Walpole Island and...
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Environmental groups and some First Nations oppose Ontario’s Bill 5 to boost mining
By Blair McBride The Northern Miner |Ontario Premier Doug Ford’ may see his Bill 5, aimed at boosting mining as an “opportunity of a lifetime” but First Nations hitting the pavement in protests don’t. The proposed law, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act 2025, aims to accelerate mining development and create First Nations-led special economic zones such as for the Ring of Fire region north of Lake Superior, but Indigenous leaders are challenging it. “Bill 5 is a direct attack on our nations, our people, our treaties, and our future generations,” Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) told a standing committee meeting at Queen’s Park, according to a release. NAN represents 49 First Nations in Ontario’s North. “Ontario is claiming they are fast-tracking this...
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Oh Doug…really!
Well, it’s summer, so it’s protest season…thanks to Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford. In a rush to put a shovel in the ground the Premier is pushing through Bill 5, “Unleashing our Economy Act 2025,” with plans to get mining moving, along with Ontario’s economy. A move he called an “opportunity of a lifetime.” Unfortunately for the Premier, not everyone sees it that way or accepts his attempt to bring First Nations on board, without consultation by creating what he calls First Nations-led special economic zones that will include the already controversial Ring of Fire region north of Lake Superior. If making the move to develop on First Nations lands without prior consultation isn’t bad enough, the Premier, in true Ford style, told First Nations it’s what they want.” “This is...
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Cannabis farm owner claims petition is “rooted in misinformation”
By Tara Lindemann, Writer Legacy Farms owner, Aaron Porter, claims a petition calling for accountability over his cannabis grow operation is rooted in misinformation. Along with him, Six Nations Cannabis Commission (SNCC) ,has confirmed the company , Legacy Farms, has followed the license application process. “Legacy Farms have been extremely cooperative working with the Six Nations Cannabis Commission,” said Acting Commissioner, Jami-Lee Baxter. SNCC issued the Legacy Farms press release on May 30. In the release, Porter, as “sole owner,” says he is “proud to operate a fully licensed cannabis production facility in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Six Nations Cannabis Commission, and the Elected Band Council of the Six Nations of the Grand River (SNGREC).” “From the outset, my goal has been to support community standards,...
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Bomberry racking up points for Rivermen AND Chiefs
By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations own Davin Bomberry is certainly making an impression in his first season in the senior box lacrosse ranks. The 21-year-old is a member of the Six Nations Rivermen, the local Senior B squad. Though he’s only played four of the seven Rivermen games thus far this season, Bomberry is tied for third place in team scoring with 13 points, including nine goals. The Six Nations Chiefs, the two-time defending national Mann Cup champions, have also been calling up Bomberry and utilizing him as an affiliated player this season. He appeared in the Chiefs’ first three matches and earned five points, including four goals. Being summoned to play with the Chiefs, members of Major Series Lacrosse, provided Bomberry with the opportunity to play with his...
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Pro lacrosse goalie still eligible to play for Arrows
By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations Arrows’ goalie Ethan Robertson is a bit of a rarity. The 20-year-old already has some pro experience, having spent the 2024-25 campaign with the Colorado Mammoth, who compete in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Robertson was for the most part on the Mammoth practice roster. But he was shifted to the active roster and started one game while serving as the backup for a couple of other contests. But Robertson, who turned 20 in March, still has junior eligibility remaining. He’s now in his fourth season with the Arrows. And he’ll also be able to suit up for the local Junior A squad during its 2026 season. The veteran-laden Arrows entered the week sporting a 5-1 record, good for top spot in the 11-team...
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Six Nations member leading Can-Am league in goals
By Sam Laskaris, Writer Six Nations member Layne Smith is making a name for himself in his first full season with the Allegany Arrows. Smith had started the 2024 season with his hometown Senior B squad, the Six Nations Rivermen. But he requested a trade to the Allegany Arrows, a club based in New York state which competes in the Can-Am Lacrosse League. Smith helped the Arrows win their league title last year. And the Allegany club also captured the bronze medal at the Presidents Cup, the Canadian Senior B tournament, which was held last August in Delta, B.C. As for this year, Smith, who is 27, has taken his game up a notch with the Arrows. In fact, after his first 10 games he was the top goalscorer in...
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Indigenous services minister says First Nations support for developments ‘critical’
By Alessia Passafiume The federal minister of Indigenous services says she and the other Indigenous members of cabinet support their party’s plan to fast-track infrastructure development — despite significant pushback from First Nations leaders. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty said Tuesday that Prime Minister Mark Carney has “reaffirmed” First Nations will be included in discussions about projects the federal government could fast-track under pending legislation, and that their input is “critical” to allowing those projects to move forward. “Myself, as well as the other Indigenous members of cabinet, support this process,” Gull-Masty said. “We believe that the prime minister is taking the rights steps forward, having early engagement, having early dialogue with national leadership, but also directly with First Nations that are impacted by a project in territory.” The national...
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Carney says he’ll ‘take note’ of opposition motion to table a spring economic update
By David Baxter Prime Minister Mark Carney said he will “take note” of the successful opposition motion to add language calling for a spring economic update to the throne speech, but did not say when or how that will happen. “We take note of last night’s motion. But what Canadians deserve … what Canadian provinces deserve is a health care transfer, a transfer for child care, a transfer for dental care and a transfer to support affordability. That’s what’s in the main estimates and we expect the support of members opposite,” Carney said during question period Tuesday. The government last week tabled main spending estimates worth nearly $487 billion. MPs will be required to vote on the estimates to keep government operations running into the summer. Conservative and Bloc MPs...
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How to spot bad information this wildfire season
By Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Wildfire season is here and if the last few years are any indication, Canadians will spend the summer sorting through a firestorm of disinformation. People searching for good information in times of crisis are up against a slew of broken systems. Social media algorithms promote misinformation and disinformation and bury official sources. Governments at different levels struggle to coordinate information release as quickly as rumours spread. Not every community has local news and there are fewer reporters and more news deserts. Imperfect information systems and the inherent chaos of a crisis allow well-intentioned but false information to spread, like people making false statements and observations about fire behaviour and what buildings have been destroyed. People’s thirst for information during a...
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‘We reject your bill:’ First Nations heads urge Quebec to scrap forestry reform bill
Representatives of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador urged a provincial legislature committee on Tuesday to abandon a forestry reform bill that would reserve large swaths of the province’s forests for logging. AFNQL Chief Francis Verreault-Paul and three other leaders called on the government to work with them to develop a new bill from scratch because they say Bill 97 does not respect First Nations’ ancestral rights. The proposed legislation would divide the province’s public forest land into three zones: conservation zones, multi-purpose zones and forest development zones where the forestry industry is prioritized. Lucien Wabanonik, chief of the Anishnabe council of Lac Simon, said the idea of handing over a third of forests to industry is a non-starter in the eyes of First Nations. “We want to collaborate. But...
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Court hears arguments in historic treaty annuity case
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source THUNDER BAY – Gull Bay First Nation (Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek) Chief Wilfred King has a straightforward answer when asked what he hopes will come out of proceedings in Courtroom 206 this week. “We’re hoping that Justice Hennessy will agree with our position,” King said Tuesday from Toronto as legal arguments were presented in Thunder Bay Courthouse. Gull Bay and other First Nations in the Robinson-Superior Treaty are asking Superior Court Justice Patricia Hennessy to decide how much they’re owed in a historic treaty annuity case. At the heart of the case was a promise by the Crown in the 1850 treaty to share the wealth of the land with First Nations north of Lake Superior via annual payments. The annuity...
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Stanley Cup watch party celebrates Brant local
By Celeste Percy-Beauregard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator Edmonton might be 3,000 kilometres away, but as the Oilers head into the Stanley Cup finals, Brant County will be watching. The municipality is hosting a free Game 1 watch party Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Burford Community Centre to cheer on hometown hero Adam Henrique. The Oilers’ centre got his start playing minor hockey in Burford, a rural community 60 kilometres west of Hamilton. He remains involved in the community, hosting the annual Henrique Montour Golf Classic in support of children in Brant and Six Nations of the Grand River each summer. “Wear your Oilers gear, bring your energy, and get ready for a great night of community spirit and playoff hockey!” the county posted on Facebook. The...
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Tarralik Duffy, Hangama Amiri among artists shortlisted for Sobey Art Award
By Nicole Thompson Multidisciplinary artist Tarralik Duffy and textile artist Hangama Amiri are among the six finalists for the prestigious Sobey Art Award. The Sobey Art Foundation and the National Gallery of Canada announced on Tuesday the short list for the $100,000 prize for contemporary visual art. Duffy is known for work that centres contemporary Inuit culture, while Amiri uses paint on textiles to explore ideas about gender and social roles. Also among the finalists are Tania Willard, a multidisciplinary artist whose practice includes land-based art, and Chukwudubem Ukaigwe, who creates immersive audiovisual environments. Rounding out the short list are multimedia artist Sandra Brewster and textile artist Swapnaa Tamhane. The winner will be announced at an event on Nov. 8 and the six shortlisted artists will have their work displayed...
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Opposition MPs defeat Liberals on vote calling for a spring economic update
By David Baxter Government whip Mark Gerretsen insists nothing went wrong Monday evening when opposition parties successfully amended the throne speech to call on the government to table an economic update before Parliament breaks for the summer. The Liberals were defeated 166 to 164 after four Liberal MPs did not vote because of paired abstentions. Paired abstentions happen when parties agree to have a member sit out a vote because someone from another party is not able to attend. Gerretsen told reporters on his way into a cabinet meeting Tuesday morning that everything went according to plan. “Every single person who was supposed to vote yesterday voted,” he said. The amendment, tabled by House of Commons Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer, added a passage to the throne speech calling for a...
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Premiers heap praise on meeting with Carney, but no specific projects identified
By Kyle Duggan and Jeremy Simes Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday’s gathering of the country’s premiers to talk over nation-building projects with Prime Minister Mark Carney was the “best” they have had in the last decade. The comments amount to a lightly veiled jab at former prime minister Justin Trudeau, who frequently had frosty relations with the group, especially prairie premiers looking to build out their energy sectors. Ford said the premiers, and the whole country along with them, stand united as Canada comes under attack from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs — even as some in the group scrapped over well-worn pipeline politics. Provincial and territorial leaders sat down with Carney in Saskatoon on Monday and each premier came armed with wish lists of major projects they hope...
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Upwards of 7,000 more people flee Saskatchewan wildfires, says Premier Moe
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says thousands have fled a wildfire in the province’s north, almost doubling the number of people already forced from their homes. Speaking on a Rawlco Radio show, Moe said about 7,000 people have evacuated the town of La Ronge, nearby Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. An evacuation order was issued for the area Monday due to an encroaching wildfire. Some buildings, including homes, have been lost in the northern part of La Ronge, the premier said. “(The fires) came down on La Ronge in a little bit different way, according to the mayor I chatted with last night, than they even expected,” Moe said Tuesday on The Evan Bray Show. “With the winds gusting and the dry conditions and just the veracity...
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‘We reject your bill:’ First Nations heads urge Quebec to scrap forestry reform bill
Representatives of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador have told a provincial legislature committee that they reject the government’s proposed forestry reform. AFNQL Chief Francis Verreault-Paul said today that Bill 97 does not respect First Nations’ ancestral rights. The proposed legislation would divide the province’s public forest land into three zones: conservation zones, multi-purpose zones and forest development zones where the forestry industry is prioritized. Natural Resources Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina wrote in a recent memo that the government hopes at least 30 per cent of public forests in each region will become development zones by 2028. The AFNQL says that premise is unacceptable and would amount to privatizing one-third of First Nations territories for industrial interests. The leaders are urging the government to scrap the bill in its present...
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