Ontario signs deal with Webequie First Nation to speed Ring of Fire road construction
By Liam Casey A northern Ontario First Nation signed a partnership deal with the province Wednesday designed to speed up construction of a road to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire, with its chief saying it will lead to prosperity for his community. The province will give Webequie First Nation nearly $40 million to build a community centre with an arena, rebuild its airport terminal that recently burned down and buy materials and equipment to begin early work on a road to the proposed Ring of Fire mining site. “It’s an opportunity for us and we’d like to make that opportunity flourish,” Chief Cornelius Wabasse said. The deal will also provide Webequie with what he said is badly needed mental health resources and support. Premier Doug Ford said prosperity and big...
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Judge says $510M in fees for lawyers in treaty case was unreasonable
Judge says lawyer’s professional retainer is not a “lottery ticket” By Alessia Passafiume In a scathing decision, an Ontario court judge has ruled a $510 million legal fee for lawyers who worked on a First Nations treaty rights case was unreasonable — and has ordered the fee scaled back to $23 million. The Robinson Huron Treaty settlement, reached in 2023, sought to remedy unpaid treaty annuities for 21 First Nations. It resulted in a $10 billion settlement, with five per cent of that amount going toward the lawyers who argued the case on behalf of the First Nations. The First Nations said the fact that the $4-per-person annuity had not increased since 1874 breached the treaty, because resource extraction projects operating on their land had been generating...
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Six Nations Elected Council heading to courts over massive land rights case
Six Nations Elected Council massive land rights case heading to court highlight of Haldimand Treaty Day By Carly McHugh Writer It was a day of observation, education and burning questions from the Six Nations community. The Six Nations Lands and Resources department held their inaugural Haldimand Treaty Day event Oct. 25th at the Woodland Cultural Centre. The day’s activities were intended to not only provide updates about the upcoming Haldimand Treaty litigation on Oct. 5, 2026, but also allow the community to share their thoughts about how the federal and provincial governments’ denial of the treaty has affected Six Nations. Lands and Resources director Lonny Bomberry and Phil Monture of Nativelands, Ltd. provided an overview of the case launched in 1995 and centred around the 1784 Haldimand Proclamation. As one...
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Survivors’ Secretariat running out of funds
The Survivors’ Secretariat is running out of funding and urgently looking to Six Nations for help. Laura Arndt, Secretariat lead, gave a delegation to Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) on October 20 to ask about a $1 million in funding she says was offered to the Secretariat by the Six Nations Well-Being Department that has yet to be delivered or approved. Arndt told Council that she had been informed by Crystal Burning that the Secretariat would receive $1 million in unspent Indigenous Services Canada funds and was instructed to submit quarterly invoices for reimbursement. The Secretariat proceeded with programming and operational commitments based on that assurance. However, months later, no funds have been received, leaving the Secretariat in a difficult financial position with less than $120,000 remaining in its accounts,...
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SNEC says no conflict when mother votes on adult child’s recommendation
When is a conflict a conflict became a contentious issue at Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) last week when a Councillor voted on an issue brought to the table by her daughter. The move sparked a discussion on conflict of interest at SNEC’s General Finance meeting October 20. Councillor Dayle Bomberry raised the issue of conflict when Councillor Hazel Johnson voted on an issue involving her daughter, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) Debra Jonathan. Councillor Bomberry asked if Councillor Hazel Johnson should declare a conflict of interest before making any decision on an issue involving her daughter. The issue arose during debate on increasing COO Debra Jonathan‘s ability to sign housing loans up to $350,000 and approve regular expenditure up to $300,000. Debra Jonathan is Councillor Hazel Johnson’s daughter. Councillor...
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Some Six Nations home get retro-fit and solar panels
Six Nations approved a letter of support for Phase Two of the Greener Neighbourhood Pilot Project (GNPP) grant, advancing efforts to upgrade housing units across the community and improve energy efficiency. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) passed a recommendation from the Environment, Climate Adaptation, Lands and Membership Committee for Six Nations Housing to maintain and upgrade all existing rental stock through improvements to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions at the General Finance meeting on October 20. Andrew Powless, Six Nations Housing Supervisor, explained that Associated Engineering has offered expertise in “design, project management, proposal writing and fundraising” for the project. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) offered $8.8 million toward the project through the GNPP grant but SNEC missed the deadline. “[NRCan] withdrew their letter of support because we didn’t...
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Indigenous women’s leaders provide advice at Rama conference
By Sam Laskaris Writer Jennifer Constant believes Indigenous women’s leaders have a crucial role to play. Constant, the chief of Mattagami First Nation in northern Ontario, was a panelist at the Forward Summit conference earlier this month. The event was held at Casino Rama Resort, located on Chippewas of Rama First Nation. Constant was one of three panelists on a session titled Inspirational Women’s Series – Indigenous Women at the conference, staged to advance Indigenous prosperity. “Being a leader in the community I think is a little bit different than being in business,” Constant said. “But I think the same principles apply. Each of us are representing our Nation whether we want to or not. So, we have an opportunity to really help elevate in whatever capacity, the social, culture...
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Audit finds federal department couldn’t account for 132 Indigenous artworks
By Alessia Passafiume An internal audit says more than 130 Indigenous artworks were unaccounted for in a collection managed by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. The report, dated last November, was published earlier this month on the department’s website and looks into the practices of the Indigenous Art Centre. The audit notes the collection managed by that body consists of more than 5,000 artworks from First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists, valued at roughly $14.4 million. The audit says the 132 unaccounted for artworks include pieces where the last known location is known but they could not be found. It offers several recommendations to the department, including to keep better records of where pieces are located and to improve the monitoring and oversight processes of employees tasked with managing...
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Fall fair was about family fun
By Carly McHugh Writer There were fall leaves, cool temperatures and a lot of fun for Six Nations to mark the ninth annual harvest at the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation’s (SNGRDC) Fall Festival. SNGRDC couldn’t have picked a better day.to soak up the last bit of nice weather, with Chiefswood Park as the perfect fall backdrop. The Fall Festival on Oct. 18 brought the usual favourites, including rides and games, pumpkin painting, live music and free family photos. This year’s newest additions, the petting zoo, face painting and balloon twisting, also pleased the crowd. The biggest draw of the annual event is always the pie-in-the-face fundraiser. For $5 each, community members could give the corporation’s executive leadership team a face full of pudding. CEO Matt Jamieson...
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Technical difficulties hit as Elected Council passes motion
Technical difficulties plagued the October 6th General Finance Committee meeting as Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) worked through amendments to two resolutions, one authorizing signatories for multi-million-dollar paving contracts with Dufferin Construction and it’s unclear if the second dealt with the same issue or not. Council and administrative staff both said internal folders, meeting documents, and even the livestream cameras were malfunctioning, preventing them from accessing resolutions and briefing notes during the meeting. “Nothing’s opening,” Shirley Johnson, office manager said. “Everybody else seems to be having the same issue.” Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill added that equipment in the council chambers was also having issues. “The cameras aren’t working either,” she said. Despite the setbacks, Councillors proceeded with amendments to General Finance resolutions 28907 and 55008, which were originally passed earlier...
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When a politician is in conflict
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) likes to portray itself as the “governing” body of the Six Nations of the Grand River. A community of Haudenosaunee peoples who settled along the banks of the Grand River 241 years ago. A community that went through the attempted overthrow of its governing body, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, a body that still exists to this day and continues to hold its meetings, meeting with governing officials from the federal, provincial and even municipal governments and international reps as well over the many, many years. At the same time the community deals with an imposed elected system that oversees government departments. As a result, the community has lived in a state of governing flux for almost 10 generations, floating between the two governing bodies. The Six...
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Today in History
Oct 27 In 2010, former junior hockey coach and convicted sex offender Graham James surrendered to police at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and was whisked to Winnipeg, where he had been wanted on nine charges on the sexual assault of three victims, including former NHL star Theo Fleury, who has published a tell-all autobiography alleging that James abused him starting when he was 14 years old. (He pleaded guilty and was initially given a two-year sentence, but that was increased to five on the Crown’s appeal.) In 2023, the CBC reported legendary musician Buffy Sainte-Marie’s birth certificate, marriage certificate and a U.S. census all contradict her claim that she is Indigenous. The network said the birth certificate lists Sainte-Marie as being born in 1941 in Stoneham, Mass., and states the...
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Louie provides updates on lands advisory board at Markham conference
By Sam Laskaris Writer Robert Louie believes First Nations across the country are taking steps in the right direction. Louie, the popular chief of the Westbank First Nation in British Columbia, was a panelist at the First Nations Leading The Way conference, which was held Oct. 8-9 in Markham. “We’re here to move First Nations from where we were and where we should be,” Louie said. “And we’ve got a lot of hard work to do. But we’re getting there.” Louie has also served as the chairman of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board since 1989. He spoke at a conference session which also included leaders from the institutions launched from the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, which was enacted in 2005. This marked the eighth year of the Leading...
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Six Nations Economic Development Trust provides funding to five grassroots initiatives
Five local volunteer organizations and initiatives will each receive a portion of a $47,000 investment from the Six Nations of the Grand River Economic Development Trust (EDT), to support important community-based projects throughout 2025. After a call for applications in August, the following recipients were selected through the EDT’s grassroots funding program. • Project Skate, who will receive $3,098 for lighting upgrades at the Six Nations Skate Park. • Tewateweyenhstha, who will receive $5,800 for their “Revitalizing Mohawk Language” program. • The Haudenosaunee Sports Development Group, who will receive $10,650 to host their “Dedwaye:na – Let’s Work Together, Help Each Other” gathering. • The Six Nations Agricultural Society, who will retroactively receive $12,510 for Kids Day at the Six Nations Fall Fair. • Kawenní:io/Gawęní:yo School, who will receive $15,000 for...
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Ironmen register lopsided victory over Coyotes
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Ironmen were looking to avenge a recent loss on Sunday. And they accomplished their goal in convincing fashion. The host Ironmen thumped the Halton Hills Coyotes 11-1 in a Northern Premier Hockey League (NPHL) contest held at the Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Centre. The host Coyotes had downed the Ironmen 6-4 at the Acton Arena on Oct. 18. Sunday’s victory snapped a two-game losing streak for the Ironmen, who are now sporting a 3-3 record in their inaugural season in the NPHL. Six Nations goaltender Tim Porter was among those caught off guard by his team’s lopsided triumph on Sunday. “I thought we could have played a lot better last week,” he said. “I expected a big game. But that was...
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Montour returns to Kraken lineup following brother’s death
By Sam Laskaris Writer Following a temporary leave of absence from the Seattle Kraken, Six Nations member Brandon Montour returned to the National Hockey League club this past Saturday. And prior to Seattle’s 3-2 home victory versus the Edmonton Oilers, Montour explained he left the squad to be with his ailing older brother Cameron Noble-Montour, who died this past Monday. He was 34. Montour’s brother had battled amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more known known as ALS, and is a disease affecting the nervous system. Montour, who is 31, was visibly shaken while meeting the media to discuss his brother, wiping tears away with a towel and taking moments to pause while speaking. He said his brother had been dealing with ALS for 3-4 years. “And it was a rough week,” he...
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Regional and national Tom Longboat Award winners announced
By Sam Laskaris Writer A longtime Six Nations resident has been named as the recipient of a prestigious award. Lacrosse player Mekwan Tulpin, a member of Fort Albany First Nation who has called Six Nations home for numerous years, was selected as Ontario’s female winner this year of the Tom Longboat Award. Tulpin was a member of the Haudenosaunee National women’s box lacrosse squad that captured the bronze medal at the inaugural women’s tournament in Utica in September of 2024. Meanwhile, Ben Maracle, a member of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, was named as Ontario’s male winner of the award. Maracle, a football player, was the star quarterback for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees before graduating this past spring. The Aboriginal Sport Circle, the governing body of Indigenous athletics in Canada, announced...
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B.C. presses its case ahead of Cowichan land meeting
By Wolfgang Depner The British Columbia government hasn’t yet filed its grounds for appealing against the landmark Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title case. But that hasn’t stopped the government from trying to impress on the public that the case could be crucial to the fate of private land ownership in the province, with officials staging a technical briefing for journalists, writing an opinion piece and telling reporters in the legislature why they believe the ruling cannot be allowed to stand. The information campaign came hours ahead of a Tuesday night meeting organized by the City of Richmond for landowners whose properties could be affected by the ruling. In August, a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled the tribes have Aboriginal title over about 750 acres on the Fraser River, that Crown and...
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Town looking to proposed energy projects to power microgrid
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com FORT FRANCES — Fort Frances’s mayor says he’s excited about a trio of proposed energy projects in the Northwestern Ontario community and what they could mean for emergency backup power in the area. Andrew Hallikas says three initiatives are in various stages of development: a solar farm and a battery storage facility both proposed by FirstLight (which also owns the existing Fort Frances Generating Station hydro dam) and a biofuel refinery by a partnership between Highbury Renewables and Wanagekong-Biiwega’iganan Clean Energy Corporation — a consortium of 10 area First Nations. The latter project is expected to create over 80 jobs, according to press materials released by the partnership in August. Hallikas told Newswatch it would also “position Northwestern Ontario, Fort Frances in...
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NDP leadership contenders have first face-to-face meeting ahead of French debate
By David Baxter Three of the five NDP leadership candidates had their first face-to-face encounter, which serves as a preview for next month’s French debate. Rob Ashton, Avi Lewis and Heather McPherson took part in a forum at the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation gala in Ottawa, while Tanille Johnston and Tony McQuail were not able to attend. The three contenders saw degrees of agreement on issues like the need to speak more plainly about issues and put greater emphasis on riding associations. Some differences are emerging: Lewis said that Canada cannot expand fossil fuel production and that the party has not been straightforward enough in communicating energy policy. “Thomas Mulcair supported the pipeline. Jagmeet (Singh) sent a lot of mixed messages on pipelines, and I think that hurt us,” Lewis...
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