Manitoba Crown stays sexual assault charges against priest on second day of trial
MANITOBA-CP-The Crown has stayed sex charges against a Roman Catholic priest in Manitoba on the second day of his trial. Arul Savari was charged last year with sexual assault, sexual exploitation and forcible confinement. The accusations stemmed from an alleged assault that took place in a remote First Nation where he worked. At the time, RCMP said they received reports Savari had sexually assaulted an eight-year-old girl. They said the girl told police she was asked to help clean the church and was alone with the priest when she was inappropriately touched and prevented from leaving. Police said Savari had been in Canada for six years, had worked in another remote First Nation and had a residence in Winnipeg. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13,...
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Nevada trial set for ‘Dances with Wolves’ actor in newly-revived sex abuse case
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former “Dances with Wolves” actor Nathan Chasing Horse is set to stand trial early next year in Las Vegas on charges that he sexually abused Indigenous women and girls, a significant development in the sweeping criminal case after more than a year of stalled court proceedings while he challenged it. His trial in Clark County District Court is currently scheduled to begin on Jan. 13, court records show. He pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to 21 felonies, including sexual assault, kidnapping and producing and possessing videos of child sexual abuse, KLAS-TV in Las Vegas reported. Prosecutors are now able to move forward with their case because Chasing Horse was again indicted last month following a Nevada Supreme Court decision that his original indictment be dismissed. The...
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Strathmore author featured in new horror anthology
By John Watson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Strathmore-based author Francine Cunningham is among several Indigenous authors who have contributed to a new horror anthology, Zegaajimo: Indigenous Horror Fiction. “It is a book of Indigenous horror stories and I was asked to contribute a story to it, which I did very happily,” said Cunningham. “I write a lot of dark fiction and horror fiction when I write short stories, so I was very excited to write a story for this collection.” Cunningham explained one of the editors at Kegedonce Press reached out to her asking if she had a story she would like to contribute to the book, which she excitedly accepted. The stories which comprise the book are exclusively written by Indigenous authors. The same is true for the editorial...
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Class-action alleges abuse, cultural devastation at Canadian Indigenous group homes
Canadian Press-A proposed class-action lawsuit against the Canadian government says Indigenous people removed from their communities and placed in group homes beginning in the 1950s suffered physical, sexual and psychological abuse that “was commonplace, condoned and, arguably, encouraged.” The Federal Court lawsuit filed this month in Vancouver says Indigenous children across the country were forcibly removed from their homes and taken “to live with strangers — sometimes hundreds of kilometres from their families and Indigenous communities.” Lawyer Doug Lennox said the lawsuit seeks compensation for those harmed by the country’s historic policy of assimilation. “There have been a variety of forms in which this policy has been implemented,” he said. “Most notably with residential schools, but in other areas as well, such as day schools, such as the 60s scoop,...
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$747K in federal funding boosts environmental projects in Sault Ste. Marie
By Maggie Kirk Local Journalism Initiative In a significant move towards protecting Canada’s natural landscapes and freshwater ecosystems, Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, announced $747K in funding on behalf of Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, to several Indigenous-led organizations, as well as Algoma University. Specifically, the investments support the study and preservation of species habitats and water conservation, to improve the health of the Great Lakes and the St. Marys River. Garden River First Nation-based organizations received three grants. The first was for $71,590 towards the Ketegaunseebee Species at Risk Indigenous Knowledge Study, a project focused on habitat assessments and creating a management plan to protect species at risk on reserve lands near Sault Ste. Marie. Secondly, $50,000 was allocated to Garden River’s...
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Ottawa school board investigating after Remembrance Day song choice sparks backlash
An Ontario school board says it has launched an investigation after a song about peace associated with support for Gaza was featured in Remembrance Day ceremonies at an Ottawa high school, sparking backlash from some parents and politicians. Several media reports have cited a letter the principal of Sir Robert Borden school sent to families, apologizing for the inclusion of a song that could be seen as politically charged and that “caused significant distress” to some. The reports say the Arabic-language song, titled “Haza Salam,” was played during a slide show of Canadian soldiers and that some students and parents were upset about the music choice. The song is used as a backdrop in many online videos showing destruction in the Gaza Strip and expressing support for Palestinians but the...
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Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew shuffles cabinet, creates technology portfolio
Canadian Press-Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew shuffled his cabinet Wednesday, adding three fresh faces and creating an Innovation and New Technology department. The Innovation portfolio will be headed up by Mike Moroz. The goal is to grow the province’s tech industry and modernize government services. The other new members of cabinet are Mintu Sandhu, who will be in charge of delivering public services, and Nellie Kennedy as minster for Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism. “After years of cuts to health care and a rising cost of living, our government is working to give Manitobans a reason to hope for a better future,” Kinew said in a statement announcing the new cabinet. “Today we renew our commitment to deliver a good life for families, with refreshed and focused government departments and dedicated...
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Superior Court judge agrees concerns over RHT lawyers’ fees merit hearing
By Jacqueline St. Pierre Local Journalism Initiative ROBINSON-HURON TERRITORY—In a decision issued on October 30, Justice Jana Steele of the Superior Court of Justice has called for a judicial review of a $510 million legal fee tied to the $10 billion Robinson Huron Treaty settlement. The ruling responds to a legal challenge initiated by Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Garden River First Nation, who argued that the fees were disproportionately high and should be significantly reduced to benefit all 21 First Nations involved. The settlement, reached in January 2024, concluded a lengthy legal battle with both the federal and provincial governments agreeing to pay $5 billion each. However, the size of the $510 million legal bill, disclosed in April and paid in May, raised concerns. Justice Steele’s ruling now directs the court...
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New coin celebrates Inuit Nunangat
Arviat artist Charlotte Karetak helped design the new toonie that is just being put into circulation by the Royal Canadian Mint. The mint has announced that two million colour-enhanced and one million engraved-only toonies, titled Celebrating Inuit Nunangat, will be released. Joining Karetak to design the coin were fellow artists Thomassie Mangiok, Tegan Voisey and Mary Okheena. This makes the toonie the first circulation coin to be designed by more than one artist. Karetak, 28, said the Royal Canadian Mint contacted her about a year ago by email. When she looked at the message, she figured there was no way it was real and didn’t bother to respond. “About a week later they ended up phoning me,” said Karetak. “Once I realized it was real I think I blacked out...
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New scholarship fund focuses on Indigenous students in health care
By Maggie MacIntosh Local Journalism Initiative Manitoba’s newest scholarship fund is for First Nations students who want to join the health-care workforce. The Southern Chiefs’ Organization, Business Council of Manitoba and provincial government are contributing a combined $450,000 on 150 new post-secondary awards over the next five years. Grand Chief Jerry Daniels called the bursaries, 30 of which will be granted annually to students from SCO member nations, an important part of the political organization’s “health human resources strategy.” “Our nations want more of our people delivering health care,” Daniels said in a news release Tuesday. SCO has earmarked $150,000 for the project and automobile businessman Larry Vickar is donating $75,000. The province is matching those contributions to the Indigenous Education Awards. Local business leaders have been donating to the...
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Blackfoot Confederacy teachers hold annual conference
By Alexandra Noad Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Teachers from four reserves of the Blackfoot Confederacy gathered Monday and Tuesday for the annual Blackfoot Confederacy Education Conference. This conference helps educators, support staff and trustees throughout the Confederacy come together with the common goal moving forward with helping the children and youth of the Nations. Each year a different tribe hosts the conference and choosea a theme for the event. This year, it was the Piikani Nation located in aouthern Alberta’s turn and they chose the focus to be “developing critical thinking.” Lisa Crowshoe, superintendent for the Peigan Board of Education Society, says the theme stemmed from the state of emergency announced early this year due to the opioid crisis. “One of the main things with this is we...
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Caregiver expects charges in death of toddler found in barn
By Dave Baxter Local Journalism Initiative reporter Winnipeg Sun RCMP continue to investigate the death of a toddler whose remains were discovered in a rural Manitoba barn, while the child’s former caregiver says she is confident that whoever is responsible for the girl’s death will one day face justice. “I have my suspicions, so I am expecting charges to be laid,” Natalie Anderson said on Tuesday morning at Memorial Park in downtown Winnipeg, where a sacred fire burns in honour of Xavia Skye Lynn Butler. RCMP said the remains of a young child, later identified as Xavia, were discovered in a barn on a property in the RM of Grahamdale in June. Police said the girl would have been between one and two years old when she died, and they...
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A poignant day unfolds for reconciliation bill’s sponsor
The day promised to be a fulfilling one in the life and political career of Brooks Arcand-Paul, the Alberta NDP’s Indigenous relations critic. But the Cree lawyer raised on Alexander First Nation near Edmonton had no idea how sad — and poignant — Nov. 4 would soon become. Just hours before the legislature convened, the member for Edmonton-West Henday learned of the death of Murray Sinclair, 73, a national Indigenous icon whose work drives Canada’s truth and reconciliation conversation. It’s a conversation, in fact, that informs a private member’s bill Arcand-Paul would soon present to his colleagues. “I was deeply saddened,” Arcand-Paul told The Macleod Gazette in an emailed statement. “But a small part of me knew that introducing the Reconciliation Implementation Act on this day had to be part...
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Jordan’s Principle critics often mistaken, says SAO
By Darrell Greer Local Journalism Initiative Rankin Inlet senior administrative officer (SAO) Darren Flynn has had enough of unfounded worries or accusations regarding the distribution of Jordan’s Principle funding in the community. Jordan’s Principle is a legal rule named in memory of Jordan River Anderson, a First Nations child from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba. Born with complex medical needs, Jordan spent more than two years unnecessarily in hospital, waiting to leave, while the Province of Manitoba and the federal government argued over who should pay for his at-home care — care that would have been paid for immediately had Jordan not been First Nations. The boy died in the hospital at age five, never having spent a day in a family home. With the support of their community...
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Niigaan Sinclair, Jordan Abel among winners of Governor General’s Literary Awards
(Canadian Press)-When Niigaan Sinclair pitched his collection of articles to a Toronto publisher, he was told “Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre” was a “regional book.” The Winnipeg-based Anishinaabe columnist and editor recalls being told to expect scant attention outside major urban centres, so he wasn’t surprised to see “like 80 per cent” of his sales come from Manitoba, northwestern Ontario and Saskatchewan. But on Wednesday, Sinclair was assured the book had indeed resonated well beyond its geographical setting, winning the Governor General’s Literary Award for non-fiction. “They didn’t even do book launches for me in the rest of the country. And then boom, this all kind of hits. I think the country’s responded,” Sinclair says from Winnipeg in a video call. Sinclair makes an estimable list announced...
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Indigenous Veterans remembered
Burlington Mayor marks National Indigenous Veterans’ Day “Today on National Indigenous Veterans Day, we honour the brave Indigenous veterans whose sacrifices have defended Canada. Burlington’s history begins with a famous Indigenous Veteran – Joseph Brant, who was a Mohawk warrior chief and an influential military captain who fought alongside Great Britain during the American Revolution and the Seven Years War. Recognizing his service, the British allowed him a choice of land for his own use. Brant chose a tract of land containing 3450 acres on which Burlington is located”, said Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward....
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“Northern Guardians” mark National Indigenous Veterans’ Day
TORONTO, ONT-About 75 people gathered at the Veterans Memorial in front of Queen’s Park Friday (Nov 8) marking National Indigenous Veterans’ Day. Included among those attending was a contingent of Canadian Rangers from 12 First Nations. The contingent, often referred to as guardians of Canadian sovereignty, were from Northern Ontario and also participated in a Remembrance Day ceremony in Toronto on November 11. On Nov. 8. wearing their distinctive red jackets and combat pants, they attracted a lot of curious attention from many in the large crowd at the Ontario Veterans Memorial in front of the main entrance to Queen’s Park. The memorial, a 30-metre-long granite wall, has scenes on it of the Canadian military’s role in peace and war since 1867. When the Rangers explained their role as part-time...
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Murray Sinclair laid to rest commemorative ceremony held
Murray Sinclair’s family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes. In a statement shared Sunday morning, his family said Sinclair was given “full Midewiwin funerary rites” earlier this week. “Although his physical time on this earth has ended, his spirit’s work continues, and he is now walking toward that beautiful place where he will be reunited with generations of loved ones who await his arrival,” the family said. Sunday afternoon, thousands gathered at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg to pay tribute to Sinclair in a national commemorative ceremony. He is the first Indigenous leader to be honoured with the ceremony, which is held to honour “eminent Canadians, members of the Royal Family or citizens from another country who have made an...
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Woman wants to develop shuttle services to various events
By Austin Evans Writer One woman is working to provide shuttle services for urban Indigenous people to attend events in First Nation communities including Six Nations as early as September 2025. Madison Green used to visit her family at Six Nations regularly, but since moving to Waterloo she has felt disconnected from her family and her culture. Through the Teionkwayenawà:kon Electric Vehicle Initiative she aims to provide the urban Indigenous community transportation to Indigenous events both on and off reserve. “My whole project motto would be increasing community connections while decreasing emissions,” she said. “I’m hoping to have a running electric vehicle shuttle in Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge and surrounding communities to bring urban Indigenous folks together in the community to different gatherings and ceremonies.” Her current plan is to provide transport to...
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Award winning Six Nations author Alicia Elliott takes on fellowship
Award-winning Six Nations author Alicia Elliott has been appointed by Wilfrid Laurier University for a one-year term as the Laurier Stedman Fellow. Elliott is a Mohawk writer from Six Nations of the Grand River who first garnered attention in 2019 for A Mind Spread Out on the Ground, a bestselling collection of essays and winner of the Forest of Reading Evergreen Award. Her 2023 novel, And Then She Fell, won the Amazon Canada First Novel Award and the Indigenous Voices Award for Prose in English in June 2024. “I’m honoured to serve as a fellow at Laurier Brantford, which is not only my people’s traditional territory, but also the city I call home,” said Elliott. “Brantford has long informed my writing, so having this chance to mentor other aspiring writers,...
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