Navajo Nation plans to test limit of tribal law preventing transportation of uranium on its land
The Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) — The Navajo Nation planned Tuesday to test a tribal law that bans uranium from being transported on its land by ordering tribal police to stop trucks carrying the mineral and return to the mine where it was extracted in northern Arizona. But before tribal police could catch up with two semi-trucks on federal highways, they learned the vehicles under contract with Energy Fuels Inc. no longer were on the reservation. Navajo President Buu Nygren vowed to carry out the plan to enact roadblocks while the tribe develops regulations over the first major shipments of uranium ore through the reservation in years. “Obviously the higher courts are going to have to tell us who is right and who is wrong,” he told The Associated Press....
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B.C. First Nations claim fish farm licences infringe upon Aboriginal fishing rights
The Canadian Press British Columbia’s ‘Namgis and Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nations accuse Canada’s fisheries department of being “beholden” to the salmon farming industry, as they gear up for yet another showdown in court with the federal government. The nations announced Tuesday that they are taking the federal government and two fish farm companies to court trying to overturn a decision that allows the farms to continue to operate off B.C.’s coast for another five years. ‘Namgis Chief Victor Isaac said at a news conference Tuesday that by renewing the licences, the fisheries department “has shown, once again, no respect for our territories.” “Everything we do is about salmon,” Isaac said. The fisheries department had been phasing out fish farms, he said, but last month the fisheries minister extended licences for...
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First Nations in northern Manitoba send residents south due to wildfire smoke
The Canadian Press More than 1,000 vulnerable residents in northern Manitoba have been sent south as wildfire smoke encroaches on some First Nations communities. Smoke from an out-of-control fire in northeastern Manitoba has created issues in Red Sucker Lake, Wasagamack and God’s Lake First Nations. The province said fire is not threatening the communities, but smoke is a health risk for the elderly, young children and people with respiratory issues. “The direction of the wind and the humidity could allow the smoke to stay closer to the ground and be trapped in some of those communities,” said Earl Simmons, the provincial wildfire service director. “We’re sending water bombers, and our crews are out there trying to prevent that fire from reaching any of those communities and the hydro line.”...
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Ohsweken man facing impaired driving charge
(OHSWEKEN, ON)- A 46-year-old Ohsweken man is facing impaired driving charges after a Six Nations Police officer spotted a driver failing to stop at the intersection of Onondaga Road and Fifth Line Road. Six Nations Police Service said, while on general patrol Thursday, July 25, 2024, at about 10:05 PM, a Six Nations Police officer saw a motor vehicle fail to stop at the intersection. Police said the officer began to follow behind a vehicle that was being driven erratically when the officer activated emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle pulled into a private residence. The officer approached the vehicle and observed the male driver showing signs of impairment. As a result of the investigation, police have arrested and charged Kenneth Anderson, 46, of Ohsweken, ON with...
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Man facing impaired driving charges
(HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON) – A Jarvis man is facing impaired driving charges after OPP stopped a vehicle on Richert Road near Kohler. Police said on July 28, 2024, at about 1:00 a.m., a member of the Haldimand detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was on patrol and saw a vehicle operating in an erratic manner. The officer conducted a traffic stop and upon speaking with the driver, OPP said the officer had reason to believe the driver had consumed alcohol. The driver was placed under arrest and transported to the OPP detachment for testing. As a result of the investigation, 45-year-old Timothy Smuck of Jarvis has been charged with the following offences: Operation While Impaired Failure or Refusal to Comply with Demand Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt The accused...
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One of Canada’s longest boil-water advisories has come to an end
By NC Raine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 30/07/2024 Safe drinking water is an expectation, especially in Canada, but for the Star Blanket Cree Nation it is a life-changing event worth celebrating. Thanks to a new $10.5 million water treatment station all 112 homes on Star Blanket Cree Nation (SBCN) and neighbouring reserves finally have access to clean, drinkable water. “The water now tastes phenomenal,” said SBCN Councilor Matthew Nokusis. “It’s like drinking store-bought water.” For 17 years, clean drinking water was a luxury for hundreds living on the First Nation. “I didn’t trust it because it didn’t look right,” said Nokusis about the water before the construction of the water treatment station. “I didn’t even let my dog consume the water because it was brown. I’d rather let him drink from...
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Six Nations Post-Secondary gets million-dollar contribution for scholarships
Six Nations post secondary scholarship funds are seeing a $50,000 a year increase after the Six Nations of the Grand River Development corporation (SNGRDC) wo pledged a total of $1 million in funding to students over the next two decades The funding will go to the Grand River Post Secondary Education Office’s general scholarship fund. SNGRDC’s total contribution could hit $2.48 million over the 20 years. “We are happy to further our commitment to education within Six Nations for the next 20 years alongside GRPSEO, knowing that this contribution will help pave the way for a brighter future for students of the Six Nations community,” SNGRDC president and CEO Matt Jamieson said in a press release. The GRPSEO is a federally sanctioned local body that provides financial and administrative support...
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Alexander First Nation members now eligible for water advisory compensation
By Jeremy Appel Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 30/07/2024 (AAA) Alexander First Nation has been newly added to a list of First Nations eligible for compensation for having a drinking water advisory that lasted at least a year from Nov. 20, 1995 to June 20, 2021. The advisory on the Alexander 134B reserve, a 3.4-hectare land 36 km northwest of Barrhead, lasted more than four years — from June 16, 2017 to June 20, 2021. Members of the newly added First Nations, which also include the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band and Skin Tyee First Nation in British Columbia, Dakota Plains Wahpeton Nation in Manitoba and Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation in Ontario, have until Sept. 17 to submit their compensation claims. To qualify...
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Privy Council to continue anti-racism efforts, clerk says after report release
The Canadian Press 30/07/2024 16:12 The head of the federal public service says he is personally committed to “continuous action” to address racism and discrimination in the workplace, following the public release of an internal report that details employees’ troubling experiences on the job. Privy Council clerk John Hannaford says the department has put a number of initiatives in place, including an office led by a chief diversity officer, which is developing an anti-racism and equity plan. His comments come after the Coalition Against Workplace Discrimination publicly released a report Monday that details discrimination and racism faced by employees in the Privy Council Office. The coalition obtained the report through the Access to Information Act. The report shows Black and racialized employees described being passed over for opportunities given to...
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Investigation finds at least 973 Native American children died in US government boarding schools
The Associated Press 30/07/2024 16:15 BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — At least 973 Native American children died in the U.S. government’s abusive boarding school system, according to the results of an investigation released Tuesday by officials who called on the government to apologize for the schools. The investigation commissioned by Interior Sec. Deb Haaland found marked and unmarked graves at 65 of the more than 400 U.S. boarding schools that were established to forcibly assimilate Native American children into white society. The findings don’t specify how each child died, but the causes of death included sickness and abuse during a 150-year period that ended in 1969, officials said. Additional children may have died after becoming sick at school and being sent home, officials said. The findings follow a series of listening...
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Firefighters holding wildfire near Water Valley in MD of Bighorn
By Jessica Lee Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 30/07/2024 A wildfire in the northeastern reaches of the MD of Bighorn is now classified as being held. After a week of battling the blaze 25 kilometres west of Water Valley with the help of firefighters, engines, helicopters, air tankers and heavy equipment to establish a fire guard, wildfire officials now expect the fire to stay contained at 65.4 hectares. “This means that given the current resources and anticipated weather, the wildfire is not expected to grow beyond pre-determined boundaries,” states the latest update from Alberta Wildfire and the MD. “Active suppression will continue on this wildfire in the coming days.” As of Sunday morning (July 28), 90 per cent of the wildfire’s perimeter was contained using a combination of water hose line...
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Ginoogaming breaks ground on major infrastructure upgrades
By Austin Campbell Local Journalism Initiative 30/07/2024 Major upgrades are coming to a regional First Nation. Ginoogaming First Nation hosted a groundbreaking ceremony today (July 29) to mark the beginning of the first phase of their roadway and drainage rehabilitation project. Ginoogaming’s Band Governance Manager, Henry Waboose, told Dougall Media this project has been in the works for about six years. “Everything kind of came together to get it done,” he said. Waboose described pools of water accumulating in ditches, overflowing onto the roads, causing widespread erosion and creating incredibly unsafe driving conditions. On that note, he said this rehabilitation project is absolutely necessary to maintain the integrity of Ginoogaming’s roads and infrastructure. “That cleans up and saves the roads. All the water is away,” he said. The project is...
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Quebec coroner offers slew of recommendations after deaths of Ullivik guests in 2022
Local Journalism Initiative 30/07/2024 Coroner’s reports into the deaths of two Nunavik women during their stays at a medical boarding facility near Montreal two years ago include several recommendations to improve the safety of Inuit in the city. Mary-Jane Tulugak, 22, died on Aug. 19, 2022, after she was struck by a vehicle on Hwy. 520. Nellie Niviaxie, 26, died less than 24 hours later after she was struck by multiple vehicles on Hwy. 20. They were both staying at the Ullivik medical lodging facility in Dorval, Que., which houses Nunavimmiut who travel south for medical treatment. Coroner Éric Lépine announced an investigation into the deaths about a week later. Those investigation reports were released earlier this month and include information about Tulugak’s and Niviaxie’s deaths as well as 12...
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Two suspects arrested, one still on the lam following Wikwemikong kidnapping Slugline: LJI-ON-Wikwemikong kidnapping
Local Journalism Initiative 30/07/2024 The Manitoulin OPP is still on the lookout for one of the suspects who allegedly took part in a kidnapping in Wikwemikong Unceded Territory last week. On July 25, around 10:30 a.m., police received word that William Paibomsai-Lesage, 27, had been abducted on Willow Street in the community. Paibomsai-Lesage was reportedly approached by two men who assaulted him and forced him into a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. Paibomsai-Lesage has since been located safe and police have placed at least two people reportedly connected to this incident under arrest. Christian (Reese) Cormier, 38, is being charged with assault, kidnapping, possession of a Schedule I substance and failure to comply with a probation order (three counts). Luke Flammand, 36, has also been charged with kidnapping. As of...
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Garden River firefighters win provincial competition, qualify for nationals
By K. Darbyson Local Journalism Initiative 30/07/2024 For the first time in over two decades, members of the Garden River Fire Department claimed the top spot at the Ontario Native Fire Fighters Society (ONFFS) competition. This contest was held during the final day of ONFFS’s annual conference, which took place July 25-27 in the Oneida Nation of the Thames (just outside of London, Ont.). Five Garden River members went head-to-head with other Indigenous firefighters in a series of challenges that tested their speed, technique, knowledge and overall teamwork. Talking to The Sault Star on Monday, Garden River fire chief Tim Johns said he and his fellow firefighters were very “excited” with the result, especially since the department hasn’t achieved a first-place finish in this competition since 1998. “It’s been 26...
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Fort Smith Elder calls out ‘unfair’ health coverage for Metis people
By Tom Taylor Local Journalism Initiative 30/07/2024 Kenny Hudson had his first heart attack in 1996, and his second in the year 2000. Ever since, the Fort Smith-based Métis Elder has stuck to a stringent regimen of medication to keep his heart health in check. “I faithfully take my meds every day,” he said. “I don’t miss. It keeps me alive — that’s the way I look at it.” On a recent visit to the pharmacist, however, Hudson ran into an unexpected problem. “On the weekend before the July long weekend, I went to the pharmacist to get my medication,” he said. “I had already phoned in ahead. Generally, 100 per cent of the time, he’d have it ready, and you’d pick it up. [This time], he wanted to talk...
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Inquest begins into the death of Ruthann Quequish
By Katie Nicholss Local Journalism Initiative Published: 30/07/2024 THUNDER BAY — An inquest has begun into the death of a Kingfisher First Nation woman. Ruthann Quequish died at her home on April 1, 2017, after visiting her local nursing station multiple times prior to her death. The medical cause of her death was ketoacidosis due to untreated diabetes. The discretionary inquest was approved at the request of the decedent’s family. During the opening proceedings, the presiding officer, Dr. Michael Wilson, explained to the jurors their role and the court’s expectations of them. He made it clear that the jury’s responsibility is not to assign blame or find fault but to confirm five questions related to the case. Jurors are to confirm the identity of the deceased, confirm the date of...
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First Nations in northern Manitoba send residents south due to wildfire smoke
The Canadian Press 30/07/2024 13:44 Three First Nations in northern Manitoba have sent hundreds of vulnerable residents south because of wildfire smoke. The province says smoke from an out-of-control wildfire in northeastern Manitoba is creating issues in the Red Sucker Lake, Wasagamack and God’s Lake First Nations. Earl Simmons, the provincial wildfire service director, says the fire is not threatening the communities, but their leadership says smoke is a health risk for the elderly, young children and people with respiratory issues. About 1,400 residents have gone to Winnipeg or Brandon, or are in the process of heading there. Simmons says there have been roughly 165 wildfires so far this year, with 50 currently active. That’s below the usual average of 277 for the same time frame in previous years. This...
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B.C. First Nations claim fish farm licences infringe upon Aboriginal fishing rights
The Canadian Press Two B.C. First Nations are taking the federal government and fish farm companies to court trying to overturn a decision that allows the farms to continue to operate off B.C.’s coast for another five years. The ‘Namgis and the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nations say in separate Federal Court applications the decision infringes on their Aboriginal rights. The fisheries department had been phasing out the fish farms, but last month Canada’s fisheries minister extended licences for another five years for Grieg Seafood and Mowi Canada to continue to run 14 farms. In the ‘Namgis’ application, the First Nation claims fish stocks of pink, coho, Chinook and sockeye salmon have become “severely depleted,” prompting the Nation to stop fishing for those stocks in Nimpkish River, build a hatchery and...
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Inquest explores challenges of remote health care after death of First Nations woman
The Canadian Press A coroner’s inquest into the death of a First Nations woman that opened Monday is expected to shed light on the challenges of delivering health care in remote communities. The inquest being held in Thunder Bay, Ont., is looking into the circumstances surrounding the death of 31-year-old Ruthann Quequish on April 1, 2017. She died from ketoacidosis, a complication associated with diabetes, at her home in Kingfisher Lake First Nation after going to the community nursing station several times in the days and hours before her death. Quequish’s mother, Edna, brother Jordan, and sister Samaria all testified on the first day of the inquest. They discussed the history of diabetes in the family and Quequish’s struggle with an addiction to oxycontin. Samaria testified that while her sister...
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