Today in History
Today in History for Aug. 19: In 1928, Inuk sculptor Qaqaq Ashoona was born. In 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the nomination of Michelle O’Bonsawin to the Supreme Court of Canada, making her the first Indigenous person to be named to the high court. O’Bonsawin spent five years as a judge at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa. She had also taught law at the University of Ottawa and served as the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group’s general counsel for eight years. O’Bonsawin identifies as a bilingual Franco-Ontarian and an Abenaki member of the Odanak First Nation. Today in History for Aug. 20: In 1992, the federal government, provinces, territories and the four major aboriginal groups in Canada reached unanimous agreement on native self-government at constitutional talks...
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Does logging a burned out forest hurt or help?
By Sydney Lobe, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Years ago, ecologist Dr. Karen Price walked through a forest ravaged by wildfire that had been logged and replanted. It was a uniform mass of pine trees, devoid of birds and wildlife — it was “ecologically boring,” she recalls. By contrast, the nearby eco reserve — which had also burned, but was left undisturbed — was a sound bath of bird calls and rustling leaves, and home to rare wildlife like goshawks. She notes that while this is just an anecdote, the juxtaposition was a more powerful illustration of the difference between a forest logged for “salvage lumber” and one left to regrow naturally than she’d seen in any graphs of young forests. Price, alongside other experts, is expressing concern that salvage logging...
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Rivermen advance to Presidents Cup in B.C. by winning the Ontario Series Lacrosse title
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Rivermen will travel to British Columbia later this month to battle for a national title. The Rivermen qualified for the Presidents Cup, the national Senior B tournament, on Sunday. The Six Nations squad downed the host Brooklin Merchants 8-7 in a match held at the Iroquois Park Sports Complex in Whitby. Rodd Squire scored the game-winning goal, a powerplay marker, with slightly more than two minutes remaining in the contest. With that victory the Rivermen won their best-of-five Ontario Series Lacrosse (OSL) championship series 3-1 over the Merchants. “It was a solid team effort,” said Rivermen head coach Wayne Hill, who is also the team president. “We were all pulling on the same rope.” The Merchants had won the series opener 13-11. But...
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Six Nations member wins two provincial championships on the same day
By Sam Laskaris Writer It was a super Sunday for Six Nations member Wayne Hill. For starters, Hill served as the head coach of the Six Nations Under-11 boys’ squad that captured its Ontario Lacrosse Association A playoff championship. The roster of the Six Nation squad included Hill’s son Ratoratseriio. Six Nations won all six of its matches at the provincial tournament, which was primarily held in Whitby. The local club edged the Whitby Warriors 7-6 in its championship final. Later that evening the elder Hill won another provincial title. He’s the president and was also recently named the head coach for the Six Nations Rivermen, who were crowned Ontario Series Lacrosse (OSL) champs. “I have never heard of that happening before,” Hill said of his back-to-back provincial titles accomplished...
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Chiefs battling familiar foe in Major Series Lacrosse championship final
By Sam Laskaris Writer Just one team is standing in the way of the Six Nations Chiefs’ quest to host this year’s Mann Cup tournament. The Chiefs, the defending national Senior A champions, are currently battling a familiar opponent, the Peterborough Lakers, in a best-of-seven Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) championship final series. The eventual league winner will host this year’s Mann Cup championship series next month. The Chiefs captured the national title last year in British Columbia, defeating the host New Westminster Salmonbellies 4-1 in a best-of-seven series. The Six Nations club had advanced to the 2023 Canadian final by sweeping the Lakers 4-0 in their MSL championship. That ended Peterborough’s reign of four consecutive Mann Cup championships. The Lakers had won the national crown in 2017, ’18, ’19 and...
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Pro hockey goalie retires to begin coaching career
Michael McNiven still aspires to become a regular in the National Hockey League (NHL). But the 27-year-old, who appeared in just one NHL contest with the Montreal Canadiens during his seven-year pro playing career, is hoping he’ll eventually advance to the world’s premier hockey circuit as a coach. That’s because McNiven, whose birth mother was Métis, recently decided to conclude his playing days so that he could commence his life as a hockey coach. McNiven has accepted an assistant coaching job with the Powell River Kings, a Junior A squad that competes in the British Columbia Hockey League. The River Kings’ head coach and general manager is Glenn Anderson, a former NHL player who won the Stanley Cup five times as a member of the Edmonton Oilers and once with...
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First Nations youth take part in sacred lance run
By Sam Laskaris Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Indigenous youth from across Saskatchewan will participate in this year’s Tony Cote Summer Games which begin on Aug. 10. But 10 athletes from the James Smith Cree Nation are expected to be rather tired before the Games even begin. That’s because they are participating in a 400-kilometre sacred tradition this week known as a lance run. They began their running journey on Aug. 5 in Saskatoon and are continuing on to Lac La Ronge Indian Band, where the Games, which run until Aug. 16, will be held. Since James Smith First Nation last hosted the Games in 2022, its community has the honour of naming runners to ‘clear a path’ to this year’s competition. In order to gain some experience for when they...
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Saskatchewan First Nation orders evacuation of community because of wildfire
The Canadian Press A Saskatchewan First Nation has issued an evacuation order for one of its communities because of a wildfire. Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation says in a statement that the Flanagan fire has forced the evacuation of Sandy Bay. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency said the flames were within 20 kilometres of the community as of Tuesday morning. The blaze was estimated to be about 130 square kilometres in size and listed as not contained. The First Nation has more than 12,000 members across nine communities in northeastern Saskatchewan. Sandy Bay has a population of about 1,800 people. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2024. ...
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Tlu-piich Games 3×3 basketball hits the outdoor court at Maht Mahs
By Nora O’Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Port Alberni, BC – Nuu-chah-nulth youth played their hearts out during the Aug. 12 Tlu-piich Games 3×3 basketball tournament at Tseshaht’s outdoor, NBA-size court. With 15 teams in the U13 division and nine teams in the U17, the summer hoops tourney brought together young players from all over Nuu-chah-nulth territory. Each game was 13 minutes long, split with a minute break. Players earned two points for sinking a three-point shot and one point for regular shots. Any fouls resulted in one point for the opposing team. “It’s been a while. It’s nice for the Tlu-piich Games to make a strong comeback. They kind of broke-up because everyone started having their own regional games,” said Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation Dwayne Martin, who posted up with...
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Documentary details wrestling tour of First Nations in northern Manitoba
By Sam Laskaris Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A documentary about a series of wrestling events in Indigenous communities throughout northern Manitoba is now being screened at various theatres across Canada. The film is titled The Death Tour. The wrestling trip, which starts in Winnipeg each year, lasts a couple of weeks. Its moniker was earned for the physical hardships and emotional tolls endured on the road. Wrestlers who for the most part are envisioning more lucrative careers battle through lengthy winter days, travelling from community to community, to provide a few hours of entertainment for adoring Indigenous fans. During the film tour participants at times travel through some harsh weather conditions. And once they arrive in a community, they spend additional hours setting up the venue where they will compete...
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Dakota Tipi claims ownership of The Forks, files lawsuit
By Dave Baxter Local Journalism Initiative A Manitoba First Nation is claiming it is the rightful owner of unceded land at The Forks in downtown Winnipeg, and demanding to be involved in development and decision-making and to “share in the profits” at the national historic site. On Friday, the Dakota Tipi First Nation (DTFN) a community located near the city of Portage la Prairie, filed a lawsuit in the Court of King’s Bench claiming their descendants were the original inhabitants of land at what is now The Forks in downtown Winnipeg, one of the city’s most well-known gathering spots and tourist attractions. The court filing claims DTFN community members are direct descendants of the Oceti S’Akowin Nation, which were the original inhabitants of the land located near the junction of...
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Fatality inquiry into RCMP shooting of Stoney Nakoda man yields no preventative advice
By Jessica Lee Local Journalism Initiative 13/08/2024 13:28 A public inquiry report released over seven years after a Mînî Thnî man was shot and killed by RCMP and one year after a formal provincial court inquiry was held made no recommendations to prevent similar deaths from happening in the future. Ralph Stephens, who was 27 at the time of his death, was fatally shot by an RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) officer Jan. 7, 2017, on a rural property in Mînî Thnî. RCMP, the agency’s Major Crimes Unit and ERT members arrived at the residence to arrest Stephens, his brother John Stephens, and Deangelo Powderface, as suspects in the killing of Lorenzo “Billy” Bearspaw. Bearspaw had been reported missing two days after he was last seen leaving a New Year’s...
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Mental health pilot extended until next June in Alberta schools
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Extra funding announced today recognizes the complexity and regional diversity of mental health needs in Alberta’s schools, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said. The top-up of the Mental Health in Schools Pilot adds $6.7 million to a round of funding set to end in December. Affected are programs in 59 rural and urban school authorities. “The main purpose here is that we recognize that mental health is a top priority for many students and that we need to do as much as we can to help support students’ mental health,” Nicolaides said in a Local Journalism Initiative interview for rural Alberta publications. “So we are really happy to be in a position to provide some new investment to keep these programs operating a little...
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‘These are not your lands to give away’: Chief Black on Ontario’s Mining Act
Six regional First Nations have filed a case with the Ontario Superior Court to challenge the province’s Mining Act as an unconstitutional violation of their treaty and Charter equality rights. A news conference was held at Queen’s Park on Monday morning to publicly announce the case and address questions from the media. Apitipi Anicinapek Nation is pursuing this case with Aroland First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug. Representatives from the six First Nations were joined at the conference by Kate Kempton, senior legal counsel at Woodward and Company, who will be representing them in this case. “The Mining Act in Ontario is racist (and) colonialist in many ways and it has to fall in those ways,” she said. Kempton cited a...
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‘Good solid lineup’ set with 4-day Aqpik Jam opening in Kuujjuaq
By Cedric Gallant Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Nunatsiaq News Expect a youthful, Nunavik-focused lineup when the 28th edition of Aqpik Jam opens Tuesday in Kuujjuaq, organizers say. The free four-day music festival runs until Friday and will feature more than 20 groups and performers. “We have less bands from the south this year and more from Nunavik,” technical director Liam Callaghan said, in an interview next to the stage set up at the Kuujjuaq Arena on Akianut Street, near Kativik Ilisarniliriniq. “This is a good, solid lineup of young, up-and-coming artists.” Watching as the lighting grid was being hoisted to the ceiling, he added: “We always get a nice lighting setup.” Usually, the equipment is flown north for the event, but Callaghan said, “I am hoping that we can actually purchase...
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Hundreds allowed to return home to Village of Slocan, B.C., after wildfire
The Canadian Press Several hundred residents of the Village of Slocan and the surrounding area of British Columbia’s Kootenay region are allowed to return home as officials downgrade an evacuation order prompted by a complex of wildfires. The Regional District of Central Kootenay had issued the order on July 28 covering 208 properties in the village and more than 300 in the surrounding area. Residents have been told to stay ready to leave on short notice and the village is on a boil water advisory as two wildfires continue to burn out of control nearby. Slocan Mayor Jessica Lunn says in an update posted to social media that people travelling through wildfire affected areas should “exercise extreme caution” due to hazards such as fallen trees. The BC Wildfire Service says...
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Canadians should be prepared for more wildfires and hurricanes: Environment Canada
The Canadian Press Human-caused climate change is making heat waves much more likely, the federal government says, bringing extreme weather from fires to storms. That’s according to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s rapid extreme weather event attribution system, which compares today’s climate to a pre-industrial one. Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said there will be more wildfires from British Columbia to Manitoba this month, with climate change fuelling them. “It is not unusual for Western Canada to see high levels of fire activity this time of year,” he said at a press conference on Monday. “However, forecasting anticipates that activity will be above average in parts of the West to well above-average in areas in B.C. and Alberta.” Fire activity in September is also expected to be above normal....
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OPP continue to investigate assault of pedestrian found on Sixth Line Road
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are continuing to investigate an alleged assault after a pedestrian, with serious injuries, was found lying on a road near Caledonia . Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police and Haldimand County Paramedic Services responded after receiving a 911 call from a driver passing by Sunday, Aug., 11, around 5:45 a.m. . The driver spotted the injured pedestrian on Sixth Line just outside the town of Caledonia. Sixth Line between Argyle Street South and Oneida Road was closed by OPP during the investigation. OPP said the victim was taken to a trauma centre for treatment. “Officers have determined that an assault occurred, and the circumstances are still under investigation,” police said in a media release. “If you have any relevant information or were travelling along 6th Line between 5...
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Canadian Armed Forces called to Mount Currie after grenade dropped at police station
Local Journalism Initiative 10/08/2024 The Canadian army rushed to Mount Currie earlier this month to deal with a suspicious device handed into Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police’s station. Pemberton Fire Rescue and RCMP also attended the scene. Public Affairs Officer for 19 Wing Comox, Lieutenant Keil Kodama, confirmed to Pique the device was identified as a smoke grenade. “The Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team from 19 Wing Comox responded to the Unexploded Explosive Ordinance (UXO) Monday, July 14,” he said in an email. “After retrieval, the EOD team confirmed the UXO was to be a smoke grenade, and it was safely disposed.” Kodama reminded members of the public not to touch anything believed to be an explosive or military pyrotechnic. “Notify your local police or 19 Wing – Comox and arrangements will...
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Suspect charged with forcible confinement, attempted murder
By K. Darbyson Local Journalism Intiative Reporter Algoma police have arrested and charged one person with attempted murder following an alleged incident of intimate partner violence in Sagamok First Nation. This past Sunday, around 1:30 a.m., Manitoulin OPP officers responded to a call over a domestic disturbance on Archie’s Road. Police uncovered one person with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, who was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Following an investigation, police arrested and charged a 28-year-old from Sables-Spanish Rivers Township with attempted murder. The name of the accused is not being released publicly to protect the identity of the victim, according to police. The accused is being held in custody as of Friday and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola at a later...
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