`The Gold Rush is over’: First Nations chiefs celebrate mining exploration court decision
By Matteo Cimellaro Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Leaders from the Gitxaa?a and Gitanyow First Nations are celebrating a historic victory after the Supreme Court of British Columbia ruled the province’s laws on mining stakes did not meet the Crown’s duty of consultation. The court challenge opposed the laws that let exploration companies stake claims without prior consent, often for as low as $60. The judge found that the duty to consult is triggered when a mining stake is claimed in the province. However, it’s unclear whether the ruling will impact other provinces. For Naxginkw (Tara Marsden), Wilp sustainability director for the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs, the reaction to the case is a “mixed bag.” On one hand, there is relief regarding the duty to consult for mineral tenures. On the other...
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In emergencies, communities must come first
By Matteo Cimellaro Local Journalism Initiative Reporter When Brenden Mercer worked the attack lines as a forest firefighter, he was sent into the deep reaches of the bush with nothing but trees in sight. It left a profound impression and greatly influenced his future work helping First Nations prepare for emergencies like catastrophic wildfires. He came away thinking the approach to emergency management should change. Communities must come first. “Communities are on fire. Communities need help,” Mercer said. “That’s where we should focus our efforts: protecting people, protecting homes, not five trees in the middle of nowhere.” Later, Mercer found a role that reflected his beliefs. He found a job with the First Nations Emergency Services Society. FNESS, for short, helps B.C. First Nations with emergency management through a four-pillar...
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What it means to lead through fire
By Matteo Cimellaro Local Journalism Initiative Reporter James Tomma was done with politics and wasn’t planning to run in the 2020 election. He told his supporters he was ready to walk away. But they told him to put up or shut up and urged him to be on the ballot. Somehow, he won. Now, two and a half years later, as Kukpi7 (Chief) of Skwl?x te Secwepemcul?ecw, Tomma is leading his community through a difficult journey of recovery from the worst wildfire disaster in band history. In August, the Bush Creek fire left devastation and displacement in its wake as it spread across the nation’s lands about 70 km east of Kamloops. Tomma is now in charge of a lengthy rebuilding process there. Nearby, Lytton First Nation is only now...
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Interior Department rule aims to crack down on methane leaks from oil, gas drilling on public lands
By Matthew Daly THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP)- The Biden administration issued a final rule Wednesday aimed at curbing methane leaks from oil and gas drilling on federal and tribal lands, its latest action to crack down on emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming. The rule issued by the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management will tighten limits on gas flaring on federal lands and require that energy companies improve methods to detect methane leaks that add to planet-warming greenhouse gas pollution. The action follows a more comprehensive methane-reduction plan announced by the Environmental Protection Agency in December. The plan, announced at a global climate conference in the United Arab Emirates, targets emissions from existing oil and gas wells nationwide, rather than focusing...
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Treaty 8 First Nations Introduce Law Requiring Children To Stay In Care Of Their Nation
By Jeremy Appel Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta have drafted a new law to ensure that children cannot be adopted or put into care without the consent of their First Nation. Treaty 8 chiefs announced the Nehiyaw and Dene Nations of Treaty No. 8 Adoption and Private Guardianship Law at a March 15 news conference, where attendees wore sweatshirts declaring “Our children are NOT for sale.” The law supersedes any other legislation dealing with First Nations children, leaders emphasized. `Treaty 8 First Nations maintain authority over our children, youth and families, that is not the right of the province or any other level of government. Currently, our children are being stolen from our Nations,” explained Chief Ivan Sawan of Loon River Cree Nation, who...
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In emergencies, communities must come first
By Matteo Cimellaro Local Journalism Initiative Reporter When Brenden Mercer worked the attack lines as a forest firefighter, he was sent into the deep reaches of the bush with nothing but trees in sight. It left a profound impression and greatly influenced his future work helping First Nations prepare for emergencies like catastrophic wildfires. He came away thinking the approach to emergency management should change. Communities must come first. “Communities are on fire. Communities need help,” Mercer said. “That’s where we should focus our efforts: protecting people, protecting homes, not five trees in the middle of nowhere.” Later, Mercer found a role that reflected his beliefs. He found a job with the First Nations Emergency Services Society. FNESS, for short, helps B.C. First Nations with emergency management through a four-pillar...
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New Manitoba NDP government may not be climate’s best friend
By Matteo Cimellaro Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A newly elected Manitoba NDP government doesn’t necessarily mean good outcomes for the environment, an Indigenous climate advocate says. Continued pressure will be needed to keep the NDP honest and accountable with their environmental platforms, said Daniel Gladu Kanu, director of the Lake Winnipeg Indigenous Collective, an organization working to restore Lake Winnipeg through an Indigenous framework. Kanu is pushing for the party to refine its 15-point environmental platform, which he says lacks detail, specifically on climate policies. The Progressive Conservatives had run a negative campaign that ceded both the environment and reconciliation to the NDP, “so much so that the NDP didn’t really have to speak to it,” he explained. “They really could just run on the fact that people assumed they would...
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`It’s all Haida land’: Nation’s title to be officially recognized over the entirety of Haida Gwaii
By Julie Chadwick Local Journalism Initiative Reporter In a decision that has been more than 50 years in the making, “B.C.” has announced the completion of a draft agreement that formally recognizes the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal title throughout its entire territory of Haida Gwaii. Spread out over more than 200 islands strung along the province’s Northwest Coast, their homelands comprise more than 10,000 square kilometres in total. The agreement, announced March 15, lays out a framework for negotiation around how the nation and the province will work together on a transition to Haida governance and jurisdiction. Though it still needs to be finalized, this marks a milestone in “Canadian” history as the first time the province has recognized Aboriginal title via negotiation rather than being forced to acknowledge it through...
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Indigenous nation gives stranded B.C. killer whale calf name: Brave Little Hunter
ZEBALLOS, B.C. -A marine scientist says he expects rescue efforts to help coax a stranded killer whale calf from a shallow lagoon off northern Vancouver Island to continue today despite federal Fisheries Department concerns about limited opportunities due to changing tidal flows. Jared Towers, who’s with the whale research group Bay Cetology, says attempts to use recorded killer whale vocalizations to convince the calf to leave the lagoon over the past few days have not been successful. But he says other options are available, including using a large line to guide the orca out of the lagoon or setting off noise-making devices that could frighten the young killer whale out of the lagoon. Towers says the rescue team has about 30 minutes daily when the tide rises to the point...
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Doig River First Nation looking to host open houses about Dawson Creek urban reserve
By Tom Summer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Doig River First Nation is continuing development of an urban reserve in Dawson Creek. Chief Trevor Makadahay and Band Manager Shona Nelson appeared as a delegation during the City of Dawson Creek’s March 25 council meeting to answer questions about the project. Makadahay said the urban reserve is an opportunity to build relationships with the Dawson Creek community, and noted they’re looking to host open houses and world cafes for the general public to provide information and foster understanding of their plans. 10.4 acres have been set aside in Dawson Creek for the urban reserve. A trading post or gas station were previously noted as potential uses for the land, with the nation open to seeing what business needs or services the community...
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Indigenous languages now have a place in the legislature
By Mike Stimpson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The rules of Ontario’s legislature have changed to accommodate Indigenous languages. Government House Leader Paul Calandra moved in the legislature Tuesday morning that the chamber’s Standing Order 24(a) be amended to say members may use English, French “or an Indigenous language spoken in Canada” when addressing the Speaker or chamber. After some debate, the motion carried in a voice vote. Standing orders are written rules for proceedings in a parliament that remain in place in its next session unless amended. Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford, who is minister of Indigenous Affairs, spoke in support of the motion and said he hoped “that someday we may have a broader representation of First Nations people” in Ontario’s legislative assembly. “We’ve got to start somewhere,” he...
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Alberta supporting Treaties 6, 7, 8 to keep federal funding
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Alberta government has announced its support of Indigenous efforts to keep unused federal funds from the Site Rehabilitation Program in Alberta. Launched in May 2020, the Site Rehabilitation Program has been an effort to clean up and reclaim land in Indigenous regions from abandoned oil and gas sites. “The Site Rehabilitation Program is a tried, tested and true vehicle for economic reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples,” said Rick Wilson, minister of Indigenous Relations. “It has provided meaningful job opportunities and work experience, while also reclaiming the land so the communities can use it again. We need flexibility from the federal government to continue this important work.” The province has since worked alongside First Nations communities, businesses, the Indian Resource Council, and the Metis...
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Gang and gun violence on the rise
Gang and gun violence on rise, Six Nations Police Chief says By Lisa Isse Writer Six Nation Police (SNP) are warning gang and gun violence is on the rise at Six Nations with some gang members as young as nine years old. SNP Chief Darren Montour told a crowd at the Six Nations community hall Monday night SNP is not sure why gang and gun violence seems to be growing in the community. Community testimonies alongside statistics are showng the increase, an audience of about 50 community members was told. Police Chief Montour said the age of affected youth varies, but what is common across all affected youth is a loss of cultural connection. “You have ‘young people’ as well like those up to 30 years old, he said. “They’re...
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Police flyover spots 15 stolen vehicles
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND – The first police flyover in Six Nations in eight years has recovered about 15 stolen vehicles so far. Six Nations Police (SNP) Chief Darren Montour said the results of the investigation are still pending. “I still don’t have the numbers of vehicles located during the flyover. It wasn’t a significant number, possibly 12-15 from what the officer in the helicopter advised,” SNP Chief Montour told the Turtle Island News. On March 11, SNP announced they were conducting a flyover of the Territory on March 12 “looking for stolen vehicles.” “In recent months, the police service has investigated an increase in the number of stolen vehicles being recovered on the Territory,” SNP said in the public release posted on their facebook site. Six Nations community...
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Six Nations lands caught in “obstacles” of federal policy
By Lisa Iesse Writer Six Nations Lands and Resources (SNLR) department says about 1,000 acres of the community’s land is caught in the red tape of Additions to Reserves (ATR) process. Six Nations Lands and Resources (SNLR) department hosted an info session March 20 to present information about what the ATR policy has looked like in the past, what it looks like now, and what it could be like in the future. About 20 community members attended the in-person session at the Six Nations Community Hall. SNLR is seeking community feedback on the ATR process. Lands resource director Lonny Bomberry, said the community consultation comes on the heels of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), announcing they are submitting a report on the ATR process to the federal government. The...
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Indigenous “presence” found at Norfolk cemetary
By Lisa Iesse Writer Norfolk County Council (NCC) is moving to a Stage 1 archeological assessment after “archaeological evidence of First Nations presence” was found at a local cemetery last year. The find comes two years after a county councillor charged there was no proof of Indigenous people in the county. “There was nobody here when the Europeans came here, (to) this particular area of Norfolk County within southern Ontario, in-between the lakes area,” said Councillor Chris Van Paassen at a NCC meeting on September 14, 2021. At that meeting, Councillor Van Passen also denied the current presence of First Nations in the area now known as Norfolk County. “The area of Norfolk county is not inhabited by Indigenous peoples, it has not been since before the time of European...
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Canada Post sale won’t affect Six Nations tax exemption
Canada Post has assured Six Nations despite selling off pieces of itself to private businesses Six Nations community members won’t be taxed. They’re also looking into getting Six Nations its own postal code, but says it’s not as easy as just pushing a button. Six Nations Elected Chief Sherri Lyn Hill gave an update at the Political Liaison Committee meeting on March 25 and said she met with Canada Post to discuss some issues and brought up the difficulties Six Nations faces having up to five postal codes. “The goal of the meeting was to discuss the retail sale of Canada Post and tax exemptions. There will be no sales tax and we discussed the interest for Six Nations to have its own single postal code,” she said. In January...
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Pssst…be on our side!
It was a secret. Media wasn’t suppose to find out about. But our readers know, Turtle Island News doesn’t like secrets! It was expensive. And it was likely paid for from the community’s own source revenues when the current Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) decided to host about 40 mayors from surrounding towns and cities that exist on Haldimand Proclamation lands, lands that belong to the “Mohawks and such others..” recently. Media wasn’t told. No photo ops of the 40 mayors (by the way Brantford didn’t show up) with Elected Council Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill or her councillors. It was supposed to be a quiet meeting to chat with the mayors. The glitzy gathering took place at the Gathering Place with SNEC’s land resource department explaining SNEC’s outstanding multi-billion dollar land...
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Weekly Cartoon
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ECHOES OF A MURDER – Two daughters, two parents, and echoes of a murder that rocked Indigenous activism
By Darryl Greer The Canadian Press In Halifax, Denise Pictou Maloney says the trauma and grief from the 1975 murder of her mother, Indigenous activist Anna Mae Aqaush, has never dimmed. Pictou Maloney was nine when she last saw her. In Vancouver, Naneek Graham vividly remembers American FBI agents visiting her family’s home in Yukon in the 1980s to threaten her father, John Graham, with prosecution if he didn’t co-operate with the murder investigation. Thirty-five years after the killing, Graham, a member of the American Indian Movement, was convicted of murdering Aquash by shooting her in the back of the head in South Dakota. For decades, the two families on opposite sides of Canada have been unwillingly bound by the legacy of the murder that rocked the Indigenous movement 49...
