Blood Tribe first responders take a ‘Walk in Her Shoes’
Members of the Blood Tribe Police Force and Fire Department strapped on their heels to raise awareness for domestic violence at the 11th annual Kainai Women’s Wellness Shelter Walk in Her Shoes event on a cold Wednesday morning. November is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Canada, with many organizations bringing awareness to the cause. Doris Low Horn, manager for the Kainai Women’s Wellness Shelter, says they do the walk to help raise awareness that domestic violence is still prevalent in the communities on the reserve. “The awareness is for the women (who) come through our shelters and that we make sure people are aware out there that domestic violence is still alive and well in our communities and on our reserves,” said Low Horn. Const. Kuljeet Khangura, a...
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New Brunswick First Nations can claim title over privately owned land: court
NEW BRUNSWICK-(CP)-A New Brunswick court has found that First Nations can seek title to vast areas of privately owned land in the province, but to do so they have to go through the Crown rather than the companies that own it. The Nov. 14 decision by Justice Kathryn Gregory of the Court of King’s Bench is in connection with a lawsuit launched in 2021 by six Wolastoqey Nations seeking a declaration of Aboriginal title over more than 50 per cent of the land in the province. The land in question includes areas held by major timber and oil companies, but Gregory’s decision removes the seven industrial defendants from the lawsuit and says only the Crown — represented by the federal and provincial governments — has a direct legal relationship with...
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Police watchdog clears Manitoba RCMP in custody death
MANITOBA- (CP)-Manitoba’s police watchdog has cleared RCMP officers in the case of a man who died after he was taken into custody for public intoxication. The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba says the actions of officers and guards did not lead to the man’s death in July 2023. The man, found incapacitated on a road on Peguis First Nation, was picked up by a First Nations safety officer and transported to the Fisher Branch RCMP detachment. The report says while in custody, the man complained of having trouble breathing but declined medical attention. Emergency services were eventually called and the man was transported to a Winnipeg hospital, where he died two days later. The civilian director of the investigation unit, Roxanne Gagné, says in her report she can’t make recommendations...
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New study shows voting for Native Americans is harder than ever
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (AP) — A new study has found that systemic barriers to voting on tribal lands contribute to substantial disparities in Native American turnout, particularly for presidential elections. The study, released Tuesday by the Brennan Center for Justice, looked at 21 states with federally recognized tribal lands that have a population of at least 5,000 and where more than 20% of residents identify as American Indian or Alaska Native. Researchers found that between 2012 and 2022, voter participation in federal elections was 7% lower in midterms and 15% lower in presidential elections than among those living off tribal lands in the same states. Earlier studies show voter turnout for communities of color is higher in areas where their ethnic group is the majority, but the latest research found...
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Trudeau expected to announce temporary GST break on some items, NDP says
(CP)-OTTAWA,ONT-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce on Thursday a temporary GST break for certain essential items to help ease affordability pressures. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says in a statement that the announcement is in response to his party’s demands to permanently lift the goods and services tax on a range of expenses. “It’s far from the substantial and permanent relief the NDP wants to give Canadians. As usual, the Liberals are letting people down with their choice to make this a short-term tax holiday, on only some items,” Singh said. Last week, Singh promised an NDP government would remove GST from home heating, grocery-store meals, internet and mobile bills, diapers and children’s clothing. The Globe and Mail has reported that the prime minister is set to announce a...
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Estate sale Emily Carr painting bought for US$50 nets C$290,000 at Toronto auction
Canadian Press-TORONTO, ONT-An Emily Carr painting that sold for US$50 at an estate sale has fetched C$290,000 at a Toronto auction. Heffel Fine Art Auction House says “Masset, Q.C.I.” sold for $290,000 at its fall sale Wednesday night, above a presale estimate of $100,000 to $200,000. Including a commission paid by the buyer to the auction house, the total price came to $349,250. The oil on canvas painting depicts a carved grizzly bear atop a memorial totem pole in the village of Masset, B.C., on Haida Gwaii. It was discovered several months ago at a barn sale in the Hamptons, where a New York-based art dealer bought it for US$50. “Masset, Q.C.I.” was painted in 1912 as part of Carr’s efforts to create an extensive record of the artistic heritage...
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New Brunswick First Nations can claim title over privately owned land: court
Canadian Press-A New Brunswick court has found that First Nations can seek title to vast areas of privately owned land in the province, but to do so they have to go through the Crown rather than the companies that own it. The Nov. 14 decision by Justice Kathryn Gregory of the Court of King’s Bench is in connection with a lawsuit launched in 2021 by six Wolastoqey Nations seeking a declaration of Aboriginal title over more than 50 per cent of the land in the province. The land in question includes areas held by major timber and oil companies, but Gregory’s decision removes the seven industrial defendants from the lawsuit and says only the Crown — represented by the federal and provincial governments — has a direct legal relationship with...
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Randy Boissonnault leaves Liberal cabinet, prime minister says
Canadian Press-Randy Boissonnault is leaving his post as employment minister in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet after weeks of questions about the Edmonton MP’s past claims of Indigenous identity. Boissonnault has been under intense scrutiny after reporting from the National Post that raised questions about his past claims of Indigenous heritage. The newspaper reported that a company he co-owned had applied for government contracts while claiming to be Indigenous-owned. Boissonnault has been described as Indigenous multiple times in communications from the Liberal party and in 2018 referred to himself as “non-status adopted Cree.” He has walked back those claims since the reports emerged and both the Conservatives and NDP this week called on him to resign. The Prime Minister’s Office says in a statement that Boissonnault will “focus on clearing...
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CP NewsAlert: Randy Boissonnault leaves cabinet, prime minister says
The Canadian Press-Randy Boissonnault is leaving his post as employment minister in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet after weeks of questions about the Edmonton MP’s past claims of Indigenous identity....
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Yes! Santa Claus came to town
Yes! Santa Claus came to Six Nations and he brought Minnie & Mickey and friends! Six Nations was all smiles Saturday when St Nicholas himself, aka Santa Claus, made his way through Ohsweken kicking off the 36th annual Christmas season. Community Spirits in Action volunteers once again organized the annual event this time with an eye-catching Mickey Mouse theme that painted the community red as Mickey and his friends were depicted in floats and characters that made their way down Chiefswood Road. Parade winners include: Kids 0-12 years Category: 1st Place – was a TIE between Grannies Little Darlings and the Six Nations Children Services, Bicentennial 2nd Place – Six Nations Lands & Membership 3rd Place – the float by Annika Skye Youth 13-16 years Category: 1st Place – STEAM...
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Six Nations Polytechnic’s STEAM Academy now a high school
Six Nations Polytechnic’s (SNP) STEAM Academy announced plans to change the school’s name to SNP Secondary School. The name change, which is set to take effect in March 2025, was introduced during a presentation to the Six Nations Elected Council at the General Council meeting on November 12. Judy Reuben, Director of the STEAM Academy, and Kali Anevich, Development Officer presented the reasoning behind the decision which Anevich said comes after years of thoughtful consideration and community consultation, and aims to better reflect the diverse programming and growing student body at the school. “We’re excited to share some big news today. After extensive discussions and feedback from the community, we’ve decided to rename the SNP STEAM Academy to SNP Secondary School,” Anevich said. “This change will allow us to better...
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Six Nations Elected Chief outlines her travel list
Six Nations Elected Chief updated the community on the ongoing work of the 59th elected council at its one-year mark saying she is reinforcing her commitment to addressing community issues and advancing political goals. Elected Chief Sherri Lyn Hill gave an update on her office’s recent efforts during the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Council meeting on November 12. “We’re in our first year of office now, and I want to highlight the work we’re doing both collectively, as a council and individually to support community members and advance important initiatives,” Hill said. “We will soon be sharing a printed and mailed update, which will also be posted on our social media platforms.” Hill listed a number of places and events she visited including Woodland Cultural Centre to see...
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SNEC says Orange Shirt giveaway a success
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) recognized community members and staff who worked diligently to provide a giveaway to the community for September’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation day. Councillor Dayle Bomberry wanted “to go on the record” at the General Council meeting on November 12 to thank volunteers, staff and councillors who attended the giveaway on September 27. More than 800 bags were given out, which volunteers and staff put together. “I know it was a very extensive day for the volunteers and the staff,” he said. Volunteers included: Hilary Mt. Pleasant, James Logan, Ethan Thomas, Bryson Longboat, Tina Garlow, Tonya Henhawk, Leslie McDougal, Lacy Curley, Star Longboat, Veronica Racette, Jacelyn Hill, Amy General, Chase Longboat, Clarrisa Mt. Pleasant, Theresa Mt. Pleasant. Staff Included: Leigh Thompson, Summer Hill, Brandy...
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Woodland Cultural Centre turns hate mail into positive announcing drag show coming
By Austin Evans Writer In response to queerphobic hate mail sent to a guest of the Woodland Cultural Centre, the centre has begun planning a drag show for December. On November 6, Chief Curator of the Textile Museum of Canada Armando Perla shared a letter sent to the museum to their Instagram page. The letter included a picture of Perla clipped from the Brantford Expositor at the opening of the 1924 exhibition at the Woodland Cultural Centre and a hand-written note. The message berated Perla for their outfit, claiming they were “pushing” their “degeneracy” on “normal people.” Perla is non-binary and describes themself as “Indigiqueer,” a term coined in 2004 referring to Indigenous people who relate their gender identity and sexual orientation to their Indigenous identity. On November 9, Woodland...
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Six Nations Elected Council funding agreement provides for band operated day cares only
Six Nations can’t fund private businesses and wants to put rumours and blame circulating on social media to rest. The sudden closure of the Little Treasures Daycare facility on Six Nations, and the rumors surrounding it on Facebook, were discussed during the most recent Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Finance meeting on November 18. The closure, which was originally announced as effective last Friday, has since been extended until Christmas. However, rumors on Facebook have raised questions and concerns within the community focused on SNEC providing funding to keep it open. Councilor Hazel Johnson brought the issue to the table addressing the rumors and said she had seen posts suggesting that council had been returning funding for childcare spaces, a claim she found confusing. “I don’t know which money...
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Local leaders call for stronger provincial support as climate crisis outpaces Canada’s response
This year is on track to become the hottest year ever recorded, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The situation is similarly alarming closer to home, with the Greater Toronto Area breaking a 65-year-old November temperature record on November 6. “This year, we’ve suffered the hottest day, and the hottest seas, in the history books. The climate crisis is here. We can’t postpone protection. We must adapt – now,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement following the release of the Adaptation Gap Report 2024. The future of the planet is at stake, and “as we get closer and closer to the point of no return, our messages are getting more and more urgent,” United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen said during the report’s launch,...
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PretendIndians…when will it stop
From academics to entertainers and now politicians. Where will it end? And why are so many seemingly intelligent individuals (of mostly European roots) laying claim to being Indigenous? The simple answer is money. You find them as academics who took advantage of Indigenous education funding to head onto university coming out with degrees, doctorates and more to go on to lead various university departments or take on highly paid and placed positions. It ranges from academia to the arts to industry and now politicians. The Liberal party’s chair of the Indigenous caucus who claimed to be Cree has been removed after admitting he is not Indigenous. Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault not only found himself front and centre in the Liberal party claiming to be Cree but chairing their Indigenous caucus...
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Today in History
Nov 17 In 2023, the Canadian government announced the launch of a new $10-million program aimed at providing grants to small businesses involved in Indigenous tourism across Canada. The fund, to be administered by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, would supply qualifying small businesses with up to $25,000 each in non-repayable funding. Nov 18 In 2021, PJ Akeeagok became the new premier of Nunavut. Akeeagok, 37, is from Nunavut’s most northern community of Grise Fiord and represents an Iqaluit constituency in the legislative assembly. Akeeagok beat out incumbent premier Joe Savikataaq and former health minister Lorne Kusugak for the job. In 2013, former northern priest Eric Dejaeger pleaded guilty in a Nunavut courtroom to eight of 76 sex-related charges he faced involving Inuit children more than 30 years earlier....
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Chair of Liberal Indigenous caucus says identity ‘complicated’ as members questioned
The Canadian Press The chair of the Liberal party’s Indigenous caucus says Indigenous identity is“complicated” after questions have been raised about the claims of two Liberal MPs who currently sit with the group and one cabinet minister who is no longer a member. “It’s a very complicated issue, and there’s no right answer,” said Jaime Battiste, who is Mi’kmaq from Eskasoni First Nation. “It’s not biological or mathematical. It’s a social construct, and that’s why there are challenges.” Others say it’s not so complicated, and want answers as to why Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault, who has claimed to be Cree, sat on the party’s Indigenous caucus and was touted as an Indigenous member of the party for years, and is now changing his tune. In 2018 at a Canadian heritage...
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