Google adds first Indigenous language in Canada to its translation service
One of the most widely spoken Indigenous languages in this country is now available through Google’s translation service, the first time the tech giant has included a First Nations, Métis or Inuit language spoken in Canada on its platform. Inuktut, a broad term encompassing different dialects spoken by Inuit in Canada, Greenland and Alaska, has been added to Google Translate, which translates text, documents and websites from one language into another. The latest addition is part of a Google initiative to develop a single artificial intelligence language model to support 1,000 of the most spoken languages in the world. There are roughly 40,000 Inuktut speakers in Canada, data from Statistics Canada suggests. The number of speakers alone is not enough to determine whether a language can be included in Google...
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AFN head urges support for child welfare deal, says they won’t get better from Tories
CALGARY, ALBERTA-CP-The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is urging chiefs to vote in favour of a landmark child welfare deal with Ottawa, saying she doesn’t think a better agreement would be possible under a different federal government. Some chiefs are campaigning to vote down the $47.8-billion child welfare reform agreement at an assembly in Calgary this week. Several stepped up to the floor Wednesday evening expressing concerns they have with the agreement, including that they felt the Assembly of First Nations was working in lockstep with Canada, rather than to advance First Nations priorities, as is their mandate. The deal was struck in July between Canada, the Chiefs of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Assembly of First Nations after a nearly two-decade legal fight over Canada’s...
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Kootenay Central candidates talk healthcare, housing
By Rachael Lesosky, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Valley Voice There was good a turnout from the public at the Kootenay Central riding’s All Candidates Meeting on October 10 at Silverton Memorial Hall – but a not so great turnout from the candidates. NDP Brittny Anderson and Independent Corinne Mori appeared in person, however Green candidate Nicole Charlwood was ill. Technical difficulties prevented her from appearing virtually, but New Denver resident Kathy Hartman read Charlwood’s prepared opening and closing statements. Conservative Kelly Vandenberghe was not present. After opening statements from each candidate, members of the public asked questions. Anderson and Mori had two minutes each to offer answers. Slocan Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Valley Voice co-sponsored the event. What are you prepared to do to make watersheds the number...
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McBride receives Charles III Coronation Medal
By Darlene Wroe Local Journalism Initiative Reporter NOTRE-DAME-DU-NORD, QUEBEC – Carol McBride, past chief of Timiskaming First Nation, and the outgoing president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada, recently received the Charles III Coronation Medal. In a ceremony at the Governor General’s Citadelle in Quebec City September 20, McBride was presented with the medal by Governor General Mary Simon. She was one of 59 people selected from across Canada and all walks of life to receive the medal. McBride, who resides in Notre-Dame-du-Nord, Quebec, has been holding the position of president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada for the past 26 months, but stepped down at the end of September. “It is a three-year mandate,” she related in a telephone interview of the position, but “it is...
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Focus on vulnerable communities, improve data sharing before next pandemic: report
An expert panel of doctors and researchers say Canada needs to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic and take action before the next health emergency strikes. One of the six experts, Dr. Fahad Razak, says most scientists believe it’s “only a matter of time” before another global health crisis hits. The panel’s report, called “The Time to Act is Now,” says disease surveillance, hospitalization data and research findings need to be communicated much more effectively between the provinces, the territories and the federal government. Razak, an internal medicine specialist at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, says it’s critical to share evolving health information much more quickly with the public to build trust and combat the spread of disinformation. The report says Canada also needs to address inequities among people who are...
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Cedar Leaf Capital to launch this month after securing regulatory approval
Scotiabank says Cedar Leaf Capital is set to become Canada’s first majority Indigenous-owned investment dealer after getting the green light from regulators. As an investment dealer, Cedar Leaf intends to help business and government clients raise money through debt issuance, while it will also potentially expand into advisory services and equity capital markets. The firm is being launched as a collaboration between Scotiabank, which will hold a 30 per cent stake, and Nch’kay Development, Des Nedhe Group, and Chippewas of Rama First Nation that will each hold equal portions of the remaining 70 per cent. Scotiabank says Cedar Leaf plans to start operations later this month now that regulatory approvals are in place. Cedar Leaf, to be led by Clint Davis as CEO, aims to support Indigenous economic participation, create...
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Two running to replace Charlie Angus for the NDP
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath Local Journalism Initiative TIMMINS – As Charlie Angus steps down after two decades, the stage is set for a new political chapter in his Northern Ontario riding. Two people are vying for the federal NDP nomination for the new riding of Kapuskasing-Timmins-Mushkegowuk. Nicole Fortier-Levesque and Terry Metatawabin are the names on the ballot for the nomination meeting on Nov. 23. Fortier-Levesque is from Moonbeam, where she has deep roots in both education and municipal politics. A retired French language teacher, Fortier-Levesque spent over three decades shaping young minds before stepping into the political arena. She served as a Moonbeam from 2014-18 and then as mayor from 2018-22. “I need a new challenge,” Fortier-Levesque said. “It’s good timing based on where I am in my life right now....
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Guy Maddin satire skewers G7 leaders. Cate Blanchett says it felt like a documentary
Even from her native Australia, Cate Blanchett has long felt a connection to Winnipeg filmmaker Guy Maddin’s quirky, singular films. The Oscar-winning actress admires the way the Manitoban auteur’s work — from 2007’s docu-fantasy “My Winnipeg” to 2017’s Alfred Hitchcock love letter “The Green Fog” — possesses “a strange universality” despite its idiosyncrasies. “He can make a film that’s so specifically about Winnipeg and his childhood, and yet I watch it gasping and weeping and not fully comprehending what I’m seeing while on the other side of the world,” Blanchett said during an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival. “I think that’s astonishing. He’s been working in this very particular underground way for so long, and if you look at the work of a lot of filmmakers who may...
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AFN head urges support for child welfare deal, says they won’t get better from Tories
The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is urging chiefs to vote in favour of a landmark child welfare deal, saying she doesn’t think a better agreement would be possible under a different federal government. Some chiefs, meanwhile, are campaigning to vote down the $47.8-billion child welfare reform agreement at an assembly in Calgary this week. The deal was struck in July between Canada, the Chiefs of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Assembly of First Nations after a nearly two-decade legal fight over Canada’s underfunding of on-reserve child welfare services. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal said that was discriminatory and tasked Canada with coming to an agreement with First Nations to reform the system, along with compensating children who were torn from their families and put in...
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Indigenous researchers seek answers from academic
By Maggie MacIntosh Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Indigenous researchers want answers from an academic at the centre of an open identity fraud case at the University of Winnipeg following two months of silence and the downsizing of her digital footprint. Julie Nagam, a professor, artist and curator who has long identified as Métis, is accused of misrepresenting herself and repeatedly failing to provide evidence to back up her ancestry. Nagam has yet to publicly address the findings of three genealogy reports that challenge her claims or the Manitoba Métis Federation’s vocal rejection of her citizenship application. The allegations levelled against Nagam, a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous arts, collaboration and digital media, sparked investigations by both the national agency that granted her that prestigious position and U of W at...
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Route 54 Annual Harvest Festival give-away is a family event, with a lot of help from friends
By Austin Evans, Writer Photos by Austin Evans & Jim C. Powless Cars lined up on both sides of Highway 54 for their share of the free potatoes, apples, pumpkins, and lots more. If you could grow it, it was given away at Route 54 Variety & Gas’s annual harvest giveaway Saturday (Oct 12). While the Harvest Festival giveaway has been running for 11 years, owner Kris Hill says the format changed from a festival styled event to food giveaways to meet the need and COVID restrictions. “It worked so well, and we were able to not only get more people but get people through fairly quickly. It worked, so we kept it.” The food was all purchased from local farmers and given out for free. “We come together, and...
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SPECIAL: 100 Years: Imposed governance system “took away” part of Haudenosaunee identity
100 years: Imposed governance brought violence, disrupted Haudenosaunee identity Royanni says By Austin Evans Writer Though Canada tried to depose the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC) government 100 years ago, the hereditary chiefs continue to fight for Haudenosaunee rights. On October 7, 1924 the Royal Canadian Mounted Police raided the HCCC council house forcibly removing all signs of the HCCC. Mohawk Royanni Allen McNaughton spoke to a small crowd at the HCCC council house on Fourth Line October 7, 2024 to mark the 100th anniversary of the “attack” on Haudenosaunee sovereignty. Chief MacNaughton highlighted how HCCC tradition and structure had been eroded in the past 100 years, especially with how people get information. “I’m not offended personally but it used to be when I grew up you went to visit old...
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Six Nations police, firefighters, paramedics join with Wounded Warriers Canada
By Austin Evans Writer In a move to tackle the stress and challenges first responders face, Six Nations Police, Paramedics and Fire and Emergency Services have partnered with Wounded Warriors Canada. Six Nations first responders met at Fire Station #1 on October 9 to learn what services were available for them and their families. Wounded Warriors Canada CEO Scott Maxwell described the two types of programs they provide: training on how to minimize trauma before it happens and support for those who have experienced traumatic events. “You don’t want to be remedial or reactive to this all the time,” he said. “You want to ensure that when something happens or when a member realizes that something is sticking with them, they already have the tools, skills and practices to help...
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Six Nations Police Athletic League working with Six Nations students
By Austin Evans Writer Over a hundred kids filled the buses after school to watch a hockey game, courtesy of Six Nations’ Police Athletic League for Students (PALS) program. Six Nations students in Grades 7 and 8 went with PALS to watch the Brantford Bulldogs face off against the Sarnia Sting at the Brantford Civic Centre on October 9. Six Nations Police run the PALS program to provide students with games, activities and team building after school. As the Community Service Officer, Constable Cody Johnson sees PALS as a way for Six Nations Police to bridge the gap between themselves and the youth of the community. “[PALS is] trying to get them on that right path before they go off, right? Just trying to be that friendly face too,” he...
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Six Nations Elected Council approves new holiday in closed meeting
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) has secretly voted to make October 25th a Six Nations “national holiday” in honour of the 1784 Haldimand Proclamation starting next year. Turtle Island News has learned the council, in a closed meeting, passed a motion to celebrate the historic Haldimand Proclamation that granted some 550,000 acres of land to the “Mohawks, and such others of the Five Nations that chose to settle on the lands.” Councillor Amos Keyes brought the matter to the council table and is expected to announce the closed door decision at a conference at Six Nations Polytechnic during its Haldimand Proclamation sessions next week. The Haldimand Proclamation granted the lands between Lakes Huron, Ontario and Erie to the “Mohawks and such others” from the then Mississaugas...
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Parade costs hit over $200,000
Costs for Six Nations to celebrate its first Stanley Cup winner has hit over $200,000. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) post approved the final costs for the celebration at its General Council meeting October 8 and the total cost ballooned to $219,153. Initially SNEC approved a budget of $54,000 for the event celebrating the Six Nations member’s NHL victory. Councillor Greg Frazer said it was “well worth the cost.” “I would just like to thank the community for all their support and for coming out. It was a once in a lifetime event, once in a lifetime for me. We did have very good positive feedback from the handler’s who said it was one of the best run events they’ve ever attended,” he said. The parade and celebration of the...
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SNEC passes motion, after hydro poles already being replaced
After months of consecutive issues surrounding hydro poles on Second Line and Seneca Road Hydro One has agreed to move the poles. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) passed a motion to issue a band council resolution approving the removal of old wooden poles on private property and the installation of new ones on road allowances on Second Line and Seneca Road at the General Council meeting on October 8. Councillor Audrey Powless-Bomberry pointed out that the map, which wasn’t available to the community, showed “lots and lots” of replacements. “This is very good news because they would be moving my hydro pole to the road,” she said. They will also move problematic poles other community members have raised concerns over. Many Six Nations residents have concerns about Hydro One’s long...
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Six Nations Elected Council lists issues it says it’s working on
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) says it is working to schedule community meetings to discuss the controversial mould issue at the Gane Yoh’s building and concerns over Indigenous Affairs second generation membership regulation. CEO Nathan Wright told SNEC, at its General Council meeting October 8th, that band staff are waiting for Indigenous Service Canada representatives to get back to them on specific dates they will have availability to attend to answer questions from community members on both topics. Wright says Indigenous Service Canada (ISC) owns the Gane Yohs building and it’s their responsibility. “They should be present to answer questions regarding Gane Yohs,” he said. Lisa Westaway, a regional executive for ISC has offered to come to the engagement session on October 23 or 24 before trying to set a...
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Six Nations Fire department marks Fire Prevention Week with fog filled maze teaching fire safety
By Austin Evans Writer Fire Prevention Week 2024 ended on a high note with shopping, dancing and truck tours at the Six Nations Fire open house. Fire Prevention Week is held annually by the National Fire Protection Association to improve fire safety and prevention, with the theme for 2024 being Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work For You. While Six Nations Fire had booths and attractions to go with the smoke alarm theme, Fire Prevention and Public Education Coordinator Santana Green said the community is already doing well with their alarms. “We started a smoke alarm program six years ago now to install two smoke alarms in every house on the rez here,” she said. “Ever since then, our call volume for structure fires and any kind of kitchen fire, anything...
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Feds band system..Governance or secretary?
Six Nations is marking 100 years of an imposed governance system dubbed simply the band council. It’s a system Canada put in place for a simple reason 100 years ago…control. It isn’t about democracy its about control. The band council has over the years attempted to evolve into a type of elected administrative council. It oversees government programs, staff and works to try to petition the feds or province for additional funding for those programs as the community’s population has soared to almost 30,000 people. The number of voters has increased over the years as the population grows but still only represents a fraction of the community. And not necessarily because people don’t support those individuals who toss their hats in the ring, but because the concept of an elected...
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