Today in History
Aug 17 In 1998, an armed standoff in the Gaspe by Mi’kmaq factions and Quebec governments over native timber rights ended after a compromise deal was reached. The deal gave a total of 30,000 cubic metres of wood to Listiguj reserve. Aug 19 In 1928, Inuk sculptor Qaqaq Ashoona was born. In 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the nomination of Michelle O’Bonsawin to the Supreme Court of Canada, making her the first Indigenous person to be named to the high court. O’Bonsawin spent five years as a judge at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa. She had also taught law at the University of Ottawa and served as the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group’s general counsel for eight years. O’Bonsawin identifies as a bilingual Franco-Ontarian and an...
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY Attawapiskat First Nation Election 2025
Xavier Kataquapit Writer My home community of Attawapiskat First Nation will be holding a local election this month on August 29. It is an exciting time not just for those living in the community but for those members, like myself, who now live and work in southern cities and towns away from the James Bay coast. This will officially be the first community election where off-reserve members who don’t reside in the community will have the opportunity to vote for their leadership. Although off reserve voting had occurred in previous elections, it was in a very limited capacity. This will be the first ever organized effort by local election officials to widely include off reserve members. Election officials will travel to Timmins on August 18, Sudbury on August 20, North...
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Six Nations golfer wins provincial Indigenous tourament
By Sam Laskaris Writer John Monture Jr. was able to convincingly silence some of his critics. The Six Nations member captured the men’s title at the Indigenous Ontario Golf Championship, which concluded last Wednesday at the MontHill Golf & Country Club in nearby Caledonia. This marked the fourth year of the tournament. The event has been staged at MontHill each time. Monture Jr. had won the inaugural tourney in 2022. And though he led the field heading into the third and final round of last year’s event, he ended up in a tie for second place. Thus, he was obviously pleased he was able to maintain his composure on the final day this year and emerge as the champion. “It feels really good actually,” Monture Jr. said. “Last year I...
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Rivermen hoping for success at national Presidents Cup tournament
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Rivermen are mere days away from participating in their national Presidents Cup tournament. And Rivermen head coach Wayne Hill insists that members of the local Senior B men’s lacrosse club are in a positive frame of mind. That’s even though the Six Nations squad is on a two-game losing streak heading into its Canadian tourney, which begins Sunday (Aug. 24) and continues until Aug. 30. The Brooklin Merchants, who are rivals of the Six Nations squad in the Ontario Series Lacrosse (OSL), are hosting the national championship. All matches in the eight-team event will be held at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby. As hosts, the Merchants received an automatic berth into the national tourney, often simply called The Prezzy. Since the...
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Attack captures B championship at provincials
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Grand River Attack did end up winning a championship this past weekend. But it wasn’t the one that members of the Six Nations-based women’s lacrosse club would have ideally preferred. The Attack participated in the season-ending Women’s Major Series Lacrosse (WMSL) playoff tournament in Peterborough. All 10 entrants in the Ontario-based circuit competed at the three-day tournament, which wrapped up on Sunday. The Grand River squad entered the event hoping it would be able to challenge for the tournament’s A Division championship. The top four finishers following round-robin action advanced to the semi-finals of the A grouping. But the Attack, which posted a 2-2 round-robin mark, found itself battling in the B Division playdowns. The Grand River club ended up placing third in its grouping,...
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One in seven First Nations impacted as Canada battles raging wildfires
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer As wildfires scorch Canada amid its second-worst wildfire season on record, Indigenous leaders and experts say the country’s approach remains reactive — leaving Indigenous communities disproportionately vulnerable. At a Monday press conference, federal officials reported that 707 wildfires are currently active nationwide. The extreme fire activity has strained firefighting resources, prompting Canada to deploy over 560 international firefighters from six countries alongside Canadian personnel. This situation is particularly dire for Indigenous communities. Jen Baron, a postdoctoral researcher and incoming assistant professor at the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Wildfire Coexistence, said this year’s fires are occurring in regions such as Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Maritimes, where such large-scale activity has been less common historically. Many First Nations communities are...
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Nokiiwin Tribal Council gets $4M from WSIB in new partnership
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION — A new partnership has been formed between a tribal council that provides a number of services to several First Nations in the region and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. The agreement between the Nokiiwin Tribal Council and the WSIB was announced at the council’s 19th annual general meeting on Anemki Wajiw (also known as Mount McKay) at Fort William First Nation on Tuesday. It will see Nokiiwin receive $4 million over the next four years from the WSIB to develop programming around workplace health and safety. “It’s going to give us capacity, so we’re going to be able to onboard a team to really run and develop this program from a very Indigenous lens,” said Audrey...
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Quebec government tries to ease growing tension over forestry blockades
By Maura Forrest The Quebec government is trying to ease rising tensions between forestry workers and Indigenous protesters who oppose a new bill they say threatens their way of life. Natural Resources Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina and Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière announced Tuesday they were meeting with three Atikamekw communities in Quebec’s Mauricie region, roughly 200 kilometres north of Montreal. The region has been the site of recent tense confrontations between protesters and industry workers over a series of blockades that have disrupted operations for some in the forestry sector. “I am very concerned about the situation,” Blanchette Vézina said Tuesday on X. “It is essential that we speak calmly and respectfully.” The Assembly of First Nations Quebec–Labrador is expected to meet with the office of Premier François Legault...
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All wildfire evacuees back home in Saskatchewan: public safety agency
By Jeremy Simes The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency says all evacuees who were forced out of their homes due to wildfires have now returned. The agency says the First Nation reserve of La Plonge in northwest Saskatchewan was the last community to welcome back residents on Monday. It says favourable weather over the last few days, along with reduced wildfire threats, allowed people to return home. The agency reported 60 active wildfires Tuesday, including eight uncontained. It says there were about 2,500 people in northern Saskatchewan out of their homes last week due to blazes. At its peak in June, wildfires forced more than 10,000 people to flee their communities. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2025. ...
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‘Everybody welcome’ at restoration society’s open house to explore possibilities of ‘working together’
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The head of a First Nations restoration non-profit is enthusiastic about spreading the word about its “history and culture” as it prepares for an open house in September. Angela D’Amato van den Hout is the chief executive officer of the Blueberry River Restoration Society (BRRS). The BRRS is a collaborative effort between the provincial government and representatives of Blueberry River First Nations (BRFN). The organization has offices in Fort St. John and on the territory of BRFN. It recently finished a call for proposals for restoration projects on the territory. It was formed in 2023, after the 2021 Supreme Court ruling determining the province had violated BRFN’s Treaty 8 rights by failing to account for the impact...
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Over 130 students employed through $2.6M Tuglirijavut program
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Youth across Nunavut are wrapping up their summer jobs funded by the $2.6-million Tuglirijavut Student Employment Program, which has funded more than 130 positions this year, according to the Government of Nunavut. That doesn’t count student jobs at the Qulliq Energy Corporation or students who have completed their contracts. The final number of hires is expected to be available in September. Municipalities across the territory also make use of summer students. Kyra Aviak, 18, has been working as a receptionist at Kugluktuk’s hamlet office. The best part of her first job is finding out how quickly she can pick up new skills, she said. “ I find that cool how I learn new things suddenly, and it doesn’t really take me...
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Cleared NAN deputy grand chief says misconduct allegations were for ‘questioning of process’
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — The deputy grand chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation who was recently cleared of misconduct allegations says they centred around him questioning how the organization conducts business. Bobby Narcisse was cleared of misconduct by an independent investigation, the final report of which was presented in closed session on Aug. 13 to NAN’s chiefs-in-assembly at the 2025 Keewaywin Conference. The territorial organization first received the investigator’s report in June, at which point all restrictions on Narcisse and his performing of his official duties were lifted. “They centred around governance issues across Nishnawbe Aski Nation, how we run the corporation,” Narcisse told Dougall Media in an interview on Tuesday, adding that the conduct violations he was accused, and subsequently cleared of, “centred...
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Quebec government renews promise to make changes to forestry reform bill
The Quebec government is renewing its promise to modify a forestry bill that has provoked blockades and growing tension in the province. Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière said Tuesday evening that the forestry reform bill must be amended to take into account the rights of First Nations. His social media statement came after a six-hour meeting with First Nations leaders and representatives of the forest industry. He and Natural Resources Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina are expected to meet today with the Assembly of First Nations Quebec–Labrador and the office of Premier François Legault. The legislation would designate certain areas of public land as forestry zones, but Indigenous leaders say it infringes on their rights. A series of blockades in recent months in opposition to the bill has disrupted operations for...
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bbno$, the Beaches warn approaching TikTok Canada closure will hurt homegrown artists
By Alex Nino Gheciu In 2021, a TikTok of Canadian rapper bbno$ raising his eyebrows to the beat of his single “Edamame” started gaining traction — and eventually changed the course of his career. The platform’s Canadian team suggested he recreate the clip with a safari-themed filter, then helped push it globally. “When that happened, the song just skyrocketed,” he says of the track, which features Indonesian rapper Rich Brian and went six-times Platinum in various countries. bbno$ is among several Canadian artists worried about losing social media support that can make or break their careers as TikTok prepares to comply with a federal order to shut down its operations in Canada. For Canadian musicians, TikTok can be as vital as radio play once was. Its algorithm lets songs leap...
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Chiefs down host Lakers to take 2-0 series lead in MSL final
By Sam Laskaris Writer Halfway there. Thanks to an 11-7 road victory over the Peterborough Lakers on Tuesday night, the Six Nations Chiefs now find themselves up 2-0 in their best-of-seven Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) championship final. Six Nations had kicked off the series with an 11-6 home triumph in the series opener held Sunday at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). The Chiefs, the two-time defending national Mann Cup champions, will now host Game 3 on Thursday. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. If Six Nations manages to also register a W on Thursday, the local squad will then be looking for a series sweep in Game 4, set for Saturday at 7 p.m. in Peterborough. This year’s MSL champs will travel to British Columbia for the best-of-seven...
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ROPE Squade issues Canada Wide Warrant for federal offender Michael Lockyer
Michael LOCKYER Hamilton, 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. Michael LOCKYER is described as male white, 36 years of age, 6’2” (188cm), 200 lbs (91 kgs) with brown hair and green eyes. LOCKYER has a Tattoo of a Broken Heart on his right hand, and a Flower and Star on his right arm. Michael LOCKYER is serving a 7-year, 10-month and 7-day sentence for; Sex Assault X4 The offender is known to frequent Hamilton, Brantford, Simcoe and Delhi, Ontario. Anyone having contact with this offender or information in regards to their whereabouts is asked to contact the Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad at...
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Quebec government tries to ease growing tension over forestry blockades
Two Quebec ministers are meeting with First Nations communities amid rising tensions around forestry blockades in the province. Natural Resources Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina and Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière are meeting with three Atikamekw communities in Quebec’s Mauricie region, roughly 200 kilometres north of Montreal. Blanchette Vézina says she’s “very concerned” about the situation in the region, where there have been tense standoffs between protesters and forestry workers in recent days. An Indigenous rights group has organized a series of blockades in recent months that have disrupted operations for some in the forestry industry. The group is protesting a new bill that would divide public forests into zones designated for conservation, multi-purpose use or forestry. Some Indigenous leaders say the bill infringes on their rights and the Quebec government...
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Black bear killed by vehicle in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
By Nora O’Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Long Beach, BC – Parks Canada is reminding drivers to slow down after a black bear was struck and killed by a vehicle on Aug. 10 in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The bear was hit on the Pacific Rim Highway 4, in the middle of the day, just north of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations community of Ty-Histanis. “The driver of the vehicle involved is unknown,” said Todd Windle, Parks Canada human-wildlife coexistence team lead, in an email statement. “There is no charge for accidentally striking wildlife with a vehicle. If, however, a driver was found to be speeding, driving recklessly, or intentionally harming wildlife, related charges could apply. In this case, as noted, the driver remains unidentified,” Windle continued. Parks Canada...
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Family, community mourn 8-year-old Toronto boy killed by stray bullet while in bed
By Natasha Baldin An eight-year-old Toronto boy killed by a stray bullet while he was in bed with his family is being remembered as a compassionate and fearless child as the community prepares to hold a vigil in his memory later this week. JahVai Roy was killed in his home in the city’s north end early Saturday morning in what police have called a “cowardly act.” Marcell Wilson, a friend of the family, said they are still in shock and trying to make sense of the death while making arrangements to bury the boy. Wilson described JahVai as “a genuinely good, happy, compassionate, kind, curious child,” who always made sure to look after his mom and his two siblings. “He was the type of boy that wanted to climb a...
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Six Nations Police arrest three, after drugs and weapons found in vehicle search
OHSWEKEN, SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER-Three people are facing drug trafficking and weapons charges after Six Nations Police (SNP) searched a vehicle at a traffic stop on Sour Springs Road Aug., 13th. The Six Nations Drug Enforcement Unit officers arrested three people travelling in the vehicle who were wanted on outstanding warrants. During the arrest police said they spotted illicit drugs in plain view. During a search of the vehicle Six Nations office seized a Glock handgun with an extended magazine containing 33 rounds of ammunition, bulk drugs including cocaine, crack cocaine, hydromorphone and methamphetamine. hydromorphone pills. Six Nations Police have jointly charged three Ohsweken residents – a 28-year-old male and two females ages 35 and 38 – with: possession for the purpose of trafficking – fentanyl; possession for...
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