Ditidaht opens new visitor centre at Nitinaht Lake windsurf campground
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Nitinaht Lake, B.C. – Canada’s iconic West Coast Trail (WCT) on Vancouver Island just got even better with the grand opening of a new visitor centre at the Nitinaht Lake Campground. Brought to life by the Ditidaht Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the new building features an outdoor theatre area and indoor meeting space and will serve as a check-in centre/information hub for WCT hikers, Nitinaht Lake campers and folks staying at the Caycuse Cabins. “I’m really proud of what we’ve done today. It’s important for you guys to know that we are working for you all,” expressed Jack Thompson, president of the DEDC, to Ditidaht members during the July 4 unveiling. “It’s a new chapter. One thing (our Ancestors) talked about is...
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Yukon First Nation calls for accountability over mine disaster
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer A year after the catastrophic collapse at Yukon’s Eagle Gold Mine, a government-commissioned investigation confirms a series of technical failures — including unstable slopes, faulty drainage and construction mistakes which sent nearly two million tonnes of cyanide-laced ore into the valley and local waterways. For the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation, whose traditional territory surrounds the mine, the disaster only confirmed what they already knew. Chief Dawna Hope said the community raised concerns about the mine’s safety for years, but their warnings were not heeded. “Our lands and our way of life are constantly under tremendous threat, and our treaty partner is failing to take steps to protect our traditional territory,” Hope said. The collapse upended daily life in surrounding...
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Six Nations landowner learns his farmland was test site for experimental spray
Use of experimental spray gets farmer banned from Six Nations leased land By Tara Lindemann Writer A Six Nations landowner has barred a farmer and a sub-lessee from using his lands after learning a portion of his lands were being used as a test site for an experimental herbicide. Land owner John Curley said he is also considering legal action. “If my aunt hadn’t seen it, we wouldn’t have known it happened,” said Curley, The 66-acre field has four small ponds and marshy area. A stream runs off into the woods and connects with a neighbouring farm; it borders sweat lodges and backs onto several homes. Curley leased the property to Lonny King, of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation after being approached last September. “He wanted a three-year agreement,”...
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Six Nations to once again host Miss Indigenous Canada event
By Sam Laskaris Writer For the second straight year women from across the country will be converging in Six Nations vying for the title of Miss Indigenous Canada. This year’s event, which will feature 19 contestants, will be held from July 23-26. Entrants will participate in various workshops, listen to guest speakers and visit attractions in the area. And they will also compete in various events. But not traditional pageant events. Instead they will be judged on items including an essay they write, interview questions as well as a scrapbook they make and a cultural presentation featuring their home community. “We don’t have any sort of modelling categories,” said Aleria McKay, who is the committee head of the organizers. “They don’t have to go on stage in an evening gown...
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SEED program invests $6 million in Six Nations over 23 years
A 23-year agreement between Six Nations of the Grand River and Imperial Oil continues to support the community through targeted education and employment programming. At the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Council meeting on Monday, June 22, SEED Committee representatives provided an update on the longstanding partnership and outlined plans for the future. Rebecca Jamieson, president and CEO of Six Nations Polytechnic has served on the SEED Committee since its inception. She was joined by Imperial Oil representative Natasa Tennant to present the report. “The agreement was signed in 2002, and we recently did a bit of an update to extend it through to the end of 2029,” Jamieson said. She noted that the committee includes representation from Six Nations, Imperial Oil, the federal school system, Grand Erie District...
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Six Nations expanding water testing
Six Nations of the Grand River is expanding water testing after higher levels of strontium were found in groundwater wells. The expansion is part of ongoing water quality monitoring, and is not connected to the flooding that occurred in the territory on June 18.The Environmental Public Health Officer at Indigenous Services Canada will be conducting well water testing for: strontium, nitrite, nitrate and manganese. Testing will begin with the highest-risk households, with additional testing being offered to anyone that expresses interest, as capacity allows. Highest-risk groups within a household, include pregnant and breastfeeding persons, and infants and children up to 24 months old. Strontium can replace calcium in developing bones, and may lead to rickets, a bone disorder that can weaken or soften bones, stunt growth and cause bone deformities....
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Six Nations holds water festival
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A number’s game
Technology has gone from producing any number of upscale coffee percolators to how First Nations communities now run their elections. And it hasn’t been without controversy. In order to vote in a band election, anyone casting a ballot firstly has to be a band member. And that in itself is creating a major controversy. Over the years people have lined up to claim their great, great, great granddaddy or grandma were “Indians” so they to should be. And the reasons largely have nothing to do with cultural awareness or wanting to be belong. It’s about money. It’s about looking for the “benefits” of being a status Indian. They want education dollars to pay for their post-secondary funding and make no secret about it. At Turtle Island News we frequently have people...
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Today in History
July 8 In 1912, American Jim Thorpe replied, “Thanks, King,” when told by Swedish King Gustav at the Olympic Games in Stockholm that he was the greatest athlete in the world. Thorpe won both the pentathlon and decathlon at the Games. But he was stripped of his medals the next year after it was learned he had played pro baseball. In 2005, former First Nations leader David Ahenakew was convicted and fined for promoting hatred against Jews. Days later he was stripped of his Order of Canada. In February 2009, the judge at his second trial found him not guilty of wilfully promoting hatred against Jews but chided him for the controversial comments. He died March 12, 2010, after a long battle with cancer. In 2021, the Assembly of First...
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Weekly Cartoon
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Here We Stand – A Call To Action Attawapiskat River Protest
By Xavier Kataquapit Northern First Nation Chiefs and leaders came together on the Attawapiskat River on July 1 to show their support for a youth led protest against Ontario’s Bill 5 and Canada’s Bill C5. They came to meet with Jeronimo Kataquapit, a First Nation youth from Attawapiskat First Nation who is leading a protest to occupy the land and water way that the people of the Attawapiskat River call home. Kataquapit and the Chiefs held a gathering that included leaders and community members and youth from Neskantaga First Nation to discuss their concerns and show to government that their people still use and live on the river. First Nation leadership that attended the gathering included Chief Elizabeth Kataquapit of Fort Albany FN, Chief Sylvia Koostachin-Metatawabin of Attawapiskat FN, Chief...
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Six Nations members return with bronze medal from Pan-American lacrosse tournament
By Sam Laskaris Writer A pair of Six Nations women made a bit of field lacrosse history in Florida this past week. Fawn Porter and Kimaura Schindler, who are both defenders, were members of the Haudenosaunee Nationals squad that participated at the Pan-American Lacrosse Association (PALA) tournament. The Haudenosaunee squad captured the bronze medal at the eight-team tournament, which concluded June 30. The PALA tourney was held in the city of Auburndale. The top four finishers qualified for the 2026 world tournament, which will be held in Japan. The Haudenosaunee side entered the final day of tournament action knowing it was assured of a Top 4 finish. The club then earned some hardware, defeating Puerto Rico 12-10 in the bronze-medal match. The Haudenosaunee team overcame a 7-2 halftime deficit and...
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Legends included in latest episode of lacrosse series
By Sam Laskaris Writer A pair of well-known lacrosse players with Six Nations connections were included in the latest episode of Rabil’s Places aired on ESPN+. Jeremy Thompson and Zed Williams were featured in the episode titled Creator’s Game, which was aired last Wednesday. The series is hosted by former pro player Paul Rabil, who dives into the history of the game including its Native American beginnings. Thompson is one of the four well-known brothers from Onondaga Nation in New York. All four brothers became pro players. Jeremy Thompson was a member of the Mann Cup champion Six Nations Chiefs in 2023 and ’24 along with his brother Lyle. While Lyle Thompson is still with the Chiefs this season, Jeremy Thompson has joined the Kahnawake Mohawks, a Senior B club...
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SPORTS BRIEFS:
By Sam Laskaris Writer Arrows conclude regular season in Burlington The Six Nations Arrows will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak and conclude their regular season with a win on Wednesday. The local Junior A club is sporting a 13-6 record, good for third place in the 11-team Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL). The Arrows will wrap up their regular season on Wednesday with a road match against the Burlington Blaze. The opening faceoff at Burlington’s Central Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. The Six Nations squad will undoubtedly be looking for a W against the Blaze in order to begin its post-season on an upbeat note. The Arrows hit the road this past Friday and were downed 7-4 by the league-leading Orangeville Northmen. The Arrows were then...
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Nesbitt, Bear and Paupanekis all drafted by National Hockey League clubs
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Windspeaker.com Three First Nations teens were among those selected in this year’s National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft. And two of those players didn’t have to wait long to hear their names called at the two-day event, which was held in Los Angeles and concluded on June 28. Jack Nesbitt, a member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, was chosen in the first round, 12th over-all, by the Philadelphia Flyers. Nesbitt, a centre, has spent the past two seasons with the Windsor Spitfires, which competes in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The Detroit Red Wings then utilized its 13th pick over-all on Carter Bear, a member of Peguis First Nation in Manitoba. Bear, a forward, has been starring the last...
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Environmentalist, political science student joins B.C. Greens leadership race
The B.C. Green Party has announced Adam Bremner-Akins as its third contestant for the party’s 2025 leadership race. It says Bremner-Akins is a political science student, environmentalist and lifelong B.C. resident who has been a party member for eight years and previously ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the legislature. Bremner-Akins’ profile on the party’s website says he is currently in the final year of a political science degree at Simon Fraser University and divides his time between the B.C. Greens, working at a restaurant and tending to his garden on his family’s farm. The two others are Comox town councillor and physician Jonathan Kerr, and climate justice and Indigenous solidarity advocate Emily Lowan. They’re seeking to replace Sonia Furstenau, who had been leader since 2020 but announced she would...
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Historic discovery brings Inuit filmmakers’ animation to life after half a century
By Jill Westerman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News A group of 13 Inuit filmmakers who created 58 animated short films (shorts) in the 1970s will now have their work available for public viewing for the first time after the films were rediscovered, restored, and digitized by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). The shorts were created during a six-week training workshop in Kinngait, formerly known as Cape Dorset, between 1972-1975. The program provided training and equipment to many Inuit artists and musicians which led to the creation of the Sikusilarmiut Animation Studio in Nunavut. The films are now contained within seven digitized film reels available for streaming free of charge on the www.nfb.ca website, a half-century after they were made. While 17 of those films, created by six...
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R.O.P.E. squad seeking public help in locating federal offender Joshua Gray
(TORONTO, ON) – The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of a breach of his Statutory Release. Joshua Gray is described as a Caucasian male, 44 years of age, 5’10” (178cm), 140 lbs (63.5 kgs) with brown hair and green eyes. GRAY has numerous tattoos; Letters-Left Hand Joker Skull-Left Upper Arm Person with Bandana with Pistol-Left Upper Arm A Cross-Left Upper Arm 2 owls-Left Upper Arm ‘Believe’-Right Forearm Skull-Right Upper Arm Angry Rodent-Right Foot A Design-Right Ribcage He is currently serving a 6-year, 9-month and 9-day sentence due to: Armed Robbery Possess Schedule I Substance for Purpose of Trafficking Disguise with Intent Possess Schedule I Substance. The offender is known to...
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Get to know the new chief of West Point FirstNation
By Jacksen Friske, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio West Point First Nation’s newest chief, Devon Felker, has been attending council meetings since before he could remember. “My mom was chief of West Point First Nation years ago, in the early 2000s, when I was just a baby. She would take me to the assembly meetings all around the Dehcho,” Felker told Cabin Radio. Felker, a 26-year-old from Hay River, Northwest Territories, was elected as chief on July 3. He has served as a member on the First Nation’s council since 2019. One lesson Felker said he learned as a councillor that he will carry into his role as chief is: “Be equal, because everyone has their different ideas of what’s right and you’ve got to kind-of try and balance...
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Number of homeless people in Toronto more than doubled between 2021 and 2024: report
By Maan Alhmidi The number of homeless people in Toronto has more than doubled between the spring of 2021 and last fall, a newly released survey showed. Toronto’s Street Needs Assessment survey estimated that 15,400 people were homeless in Toronto last October, up from about 7,300 in April 2021. “These data highlight the failure of multiple systems, such as affordable housing, health care, mental health, income support, and the justice system,” a city report said. “People are left with nowhere to turn, and the shelter system or staying outdoors become the last resort.” The report said the increase in Toronto mirrors the situation in Ontario and across Canada after the COVID-19 pandemic directly affected homelessness rates. “Specific groups continue to be overrepresented among those experiencing homelessness, outlining the need for...
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