Ottawa to appoint Virginia Mearns of Iqaluit as Arctic ambassador
By Dylan Robertson The government of Prime Minister Mark Carney is naming its Arctic ambassador Thursday as it seeks deeper ties with circumpolar nations at a time of rising security concerns. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand’s office says Virginia Mearns will be the Arctic ambassador, which will be Canada’s senior Arctic official on the world stage. “Canada is an Arctic nation, and we are at a critical moment when it is imperative that we safeguard our sovereignty and defend our Arctic interests,” Anand said in a statement. “Mearns will advance Canada’s polar interests in multilateral forums, engage with counterparts in Arctic and non-Arctic states, and serve as a representative in our diplomatic corps.” Mearns lives in Iqaluit and has worked within local Inuit governments. The appointment is part of the...
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Drug User Advocacy Groups Challenge ‘Recriminalization’ in Court
By Michelle Gamage, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Tyee The federal government was in court this week listening to arguments that it made a mistake when it allowed British Columbia to roll back its decriminalization pilot project. Counsel for a coalition of 13 drug user advocacy groups argued in an application for a judicial review that Health Canada didn’t properly consider all the evidence before it when it broadly recriminalized public drug use in 2024. Canadian drug laws are set out in the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. To provincially change drug laws for decriminalization, B.C. had to ask Health Canada for an exemption under the act. It later asked Health Canada to amend that exemption to recriminalize public drug use. The process will see a federal judge examine...
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Housing in Burwash Landing will be integral for attracting teachers: YAEP
By Talar Stockton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yukon News The Yukon government is finalizing a 30-year land lease agreement with Kluane First Nation to allow for government staff housing for teachers in Burwash Landing. The housing, which will be owned and operated by YG on Kluane First Nation settlement land, will be a duplex with two 991-square-foot, fully accessible two bedroom units according to a July 14 press release. Construction of the duplex is expected to be complete this winter. The duplex is specifically for teachers at the new community school, Kêts’ádań Kų̀, which is currently being constructed in Burwash Landing. The Southern Tutchone name of the school can be translated into English as “house of learning.” The school is set to be operated by the First Nation School Board...
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‘This is the new land back’: Former Vuntut Gwitchin chief plans AI network across First Nations
By Talar Stockton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yukon News The former chief of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation is launching an AI network across First Nations. Dana Tizya-Tramm is the director of Nadlii, a non-profit dedicated to Indigenous data sovereignty according to its website. Tizya-Tramm spoke with the News from Ottawa on July 17: he was there speaking with Canadian government officials for partnership to support the endeavour of empowering every First Nation in Canada with a military-grade modular data centre. Military-grade modular data centres are sea cans filled with millions of dollars of graphics-processing units, according to Tizya-Tramm. They support drones and soldiers in warfare, but have also supported mining and industrial projects, he said. These modular data centres have the hardware that people use to mine cryptocurrency, said Tizya-Tramm,...
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Carney talking major projects with Inuit leaders in Inuvik
By Aaron Sousa Prime Minister Mark Carney is sitting down with Inuit leaders Thursday to discuss his government’s controversial major projects legislation, and those leaders are saying they have a lot to work through with the federal government. The meeting of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee is being co-hosted by Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, in Inuvik, N.W.T. Obed has said Inuit have many questions about Bill C-5, or the One Canadian Economy Act, and are hoping the meetings clarify the role they’ll play in Carney’s plans for a single Canadian economy. In his opening remarks Thursday, Obed said the fact that the meeting was held so soon after the April election gives him the sense that the prime minister is willing to work with Inuit. “We have a...
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SAIT summer camp helps Indigenous students prepare for post-secondary
By Kaiden Brayshaw, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, LiveWire Calgary In 2009, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) started a summer camp program to introduce indigenous students in Grades 8-11 to post-secondary life. Now, 16 years later, more than 20 students complete the program annually. In early July, 24 students from the Montana First Nation stayed on the main SAIT campus while exploring programs like carpentry and broadcast journalism through the Youth Education and Career Pathways program. The camp wrapped up with a ceremony featuring Indigenous prayers, dancing and drumming, acknowledging the students who participated in the program in 2025. Jennifer Russell, SAIT’s director of Indigenous engagement, said that the program, originally called Res to Res (Reservation to Residency), was created to help students get comfortable on campus. “It really...
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Carney talking major projects with Inuit leaders in Inuvik
By Aaron Sousa Prime Minister Mark Carney is sitting down with Inuit leaders Thursday to discuss his government’s controversial major projects legislation, and those leaders are saying they have a lot to work through with the federal government. The meeting of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee is being co-hosted by Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, in Inuvik, N.W.T. Obed has said Inuit have many questions about Bill C-5, or the One Canadian Economy Act, and are hoping the meetings clarify the role they’ll play in Carney’s plans for a single Canadian economy. In his opening remarks Thursday, Obed said the fact that the meeting was held so soon after the April election gives him the sense that the prime minister is willing to work with Inuit. “We have a...
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Man who allegedly murdered serial killer Robert Pickton in prison appears in court
The man accused of murdering serial killer Robert Pickton in prison appeared briefly by video conference at the courthouse in Sept-Îles, Que., northeast of Quebec City. Martin Charest, 52, faces one count first-degree murder in connection with Pickton’s killing in May 2024 at the Port-Cartier federal penitentiary. Charest allegedly broke a broom handle before shoving it into the face of Pickton, who died in hospital of his injuries days later at the age of 74. Quebec court Judge Vicky Lapierre ordered the case to return to court on Sept. 2. Pickton, one of Canada’s most notorious serial killers, was convicted in 2007 of six counts of second-degree murder. But he confessed to killing a total of 49 women whom he lured into his pig farm near Vancouver. This report by...
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‘Please only take what you need’: ONA warns of low sockeye returns, asks fishers to limit catch
By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews The fisheries department of the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) is warning the community of a limited harvesting season of sc̓win (sockeye salmon) in the coming weeks, due to a forecast predicting low fish returns. Although the alliance is not asking its syilx Nation members to stop fishing for sc̓win entirely during the upcoming season, they are asking fishers to limit harvesting activities and “please only take what you need,” to allow as many fish as possible to survive and spawn in the fall. Chad Fuller, manager of ONA’s fisheries program, said the nation won’t be co-ordinating a harvest for community distribution or food fishery events this year either. “We have to be careful,” Fuller said. “We have to let our members know...
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Grand Chief Diabo walked out of C-5 Summit in Ottawa
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Grand Chief Cody Diabo made international headlines last week for being one of several First Nations Chiefs to leave the Bill C-5 Summit in Gatineau, Quebec, fiercely criticizing the Prime Minister as he did so. “It left a sour taste in my mouth,” Diabo said. The summit was meant to bridge the growing divide between First Nations and the federal government for how Bill C-5 was rushed through Parliament with little consultation. According to Peter Graefe, a political science professor at McMaster University, the bill has reignited tensions related to Canada’s colonial legacy with First Nations, which was on full display at last week’s summit. “I’m not surprised that we saw continued difficulty finding common ground,” Graefe said....
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Haldimand has ‘concerns’ about Mississaugas of the Credit expansion plan
By J.P. Antonacci, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator Mississaugas of the Credit wants to grow and is eyeing land in neighbouring Haldimand County for expansion. The First Nation southwest of Hamilton has applied to Ottawa to add 308 acres to the reserve in the form of four parcels of land along Highway 6. Roughly one-third of the desired land — 108 acres — is currently inside Hagersville’s urban boundary and designated for employment, while the balance is zoned for farming. The band council already owns the land through a numbered company, but Haldimand has final say on zoning and development. That would change if the federal government approves MCFN’s request to formally incorporate the parcels through Ottawa’s “addition to reserve” process. Losing the employment land would mean rejigging...
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Report raises questions about First Nations ownership in major projects
By Alessia Passafiume A new think tank report is questioning how the federal and provincial governments’ sprint to build major infrastructure projects might affect Indigenous Peoples’ rights — and warns that it could end up pitting Indigenous communities against each other. The report by the Yellowhead Institute, “Buried Burdens,” takes a look at major projects through a case study of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project and the Ksi Lisims facility in B.C., which are expected to transport millions of tonnes of gas per year. Owned in part by the Nisga’a Nation, the project has seen staunch opposition from other First Nations communities that did not approve or consent to it. The Yellowhead report, released this week, comes amid a countrywide push to rapidly launch major projects, including pipelines, to...
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Brantford urges precaution during Heat Warning, Cooling Facilities in place
BRANTFORD, ON – The public is urged to take precautions as the Medical Officer of Health for Grand Erie Public Health has issued a heat warning, effective July 23, 2025. A heat warning is issued when Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts two consecutive days with a maximum daily temperature of 31 degrees Celsius or higher during the day and a minimum temperature of 20 degrees Celsius or higher during the evening, or a humidex of 40 degrees Celsius or higher. Cooling facilities Brantford Public Libraries, 173 Colborne Street and 441 St. Paul Avenue. Visit brantfordlibrary.ca for hours of operation. Lynden Park Mall, 84 Lynden Road. Visit lyndenparkmall.com for hours of operation. Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre, 254 North Park Street. Visit waynegretzkysportscentre.ca for programming and schedules. Admission rates apply. Woodman...
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Heat Warning for Brantford, Brant and Haldimand Norfolk
The Medical Officer of Health for Grand Erie Public Health is issuing a heat alert for the Grand Erie Public Health region (Brantford-Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk), effective July 24, 2025. A Heat Warning is issued when the daytime temperatures are expected to reach at least 31 degrees Celsius with overnight temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius, or when the humidex is expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius. The warning will remain in effect until a cancellation notice is issued. While everyone is at risk from extreme heat, older adults, infants and young children, people with chronic illnesses, those working outdoors, and those without adequate housing or air conditioning are at greater risk of heat related illnesses. Symptoms of heat stroke and other heat related illnesses include: Dizziness or fainting Nausea or vomiting Headache Rapid breathing and heartbeat Extreme thirst...
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Muscogee Nation court rules descendants of enslaved people are entitled to citizenship
By Graham Lee Brewer The Muscogee Nation Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that two descendants of people once enslaved by the tribe are entitled to tribal citizenship. The court found that the tribal nation’s citizenship board violated an 1866 treaty when it denied the applications of Rhonda Grayson and Jeffrey Kennedy in 2019 because they could not identify a lineal descendant of the tribe. “Are we, as a Nation, bound to treaty promises made so many years ago? Today, we answer in the affirmative, because this is what Mvskoke law demands,” the court wrote in its opinion. The Muscogee Nation is one of five tribes in Oklahoma that once practiced slavery, and in that 1866 treaty with the U.S. government, the tribe both abolished it and granted citizenship to the formerly...
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Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park will remain closed for season
By David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, BayToday.ca It’s official, Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park will remain closed for the 2025 season. Ontario Parks made the announcement today, noting the severe storm on June 21, 2025, resulted in extensive damage from the falling trees and conditions remain hazardous. Ontario Parks noted in a release, “Because of the magnitude of damage, Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park will remain closed for the 2025 season.” The storm on June 21 fell many trees within the park, trapping campers and destroying trailers, tens, and vehicles. Multiple people were injured, but there were no fatalities. The damage was not contained within Samuel de Champlain Park. Nearby Kiosk Campground in Algonquin Park was also hit, and Calvin and Bonfield Townships declared states of emergency as the...
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Cabinet minister who criticized interpreter says she is focused on doing better
By Steve Lambert A Manitoba cabinet minister who criticized a sign language interpreter, and who has since apologized repeatedly, revealed more details Wednesday of the NDP government’s promise to improve services for people with disabilities. Nahanni Fontaine, the minister responsible for services for people with disabilities, said she has learned from her mistake. “When I have these missteps or these mistakes or these moments, I always try to find the teaching and the lessons in it, and then how to move forward in a better way — how to do better,” Fontaine told reporters. Fontaine faced criticism for remarks she made last month while hosting a celebration for Indigenous women graduates. While preparing to speak to reporters after, Fontaine told one of her staff that she was thrown off by...
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Coastal First Nations call on Carney to uphold oil tanker ban
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Indigenous leaders on British Columbia’s north coast are calling on the federal government to hold out against pressure from Alberta and industry to reverse the west coast oil export ban. On Tuesday, the Coastal First Nations, a group of nine First Nations along the north and central coast of BC and Haida Gwaii, wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney. The group urged the government to uphold Bill C-48, known as the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act. Since 2019, this law has prohibited tankers carrying over 12,500 metric tons of crude oil and other oil products from stopping or transferring cargo at any port between the northern tip of Vancouver Island and the Alaska border, which includes Haida Gwaii,...
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Songhees Nation says non-band members refusing to leave mobile home park on reserve despited court order
By Darryl Greer The Chief of the Songhees Nation on Vancouver Island says a group of mobile home park residents on the Nation’s reserve are continuing to resist being evicted after losing a court challenge, while the Nation’s members live in “unsafe housing, unable to access their own lands.” Chief Ron Sam says most the Nation’s members can’t live on the reserve due to lack of housing, and the Songhees Nation’s government gave residents of the mobile home park three years notice to relocate “to make way for urgently needed community housing.” The Chief says some residents challenged the eviction in court, and lost the case last month. The court ruling posted Tuesday says residents of E. George Estates Manufactured Home Park have lived there for decades, believing they’d have...
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Prime Minister Mark Carney visiting his birthplace in Northwest Territorie
By Canadian Press staff Prime Minister Mark Carney is back in the town where he was born as he travels across the Northwest Territories. Carney spent his early childhood in Fort Smith, south of Yellowknife along the Alberta boundary, before he moved with his family to Edmonton. On Wednesday he visited the town’s community centre, spoke with children attending a local summer camp and discussed affordability and employment with their parents. Carney also met with Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson and is set to discuss wildfires with community leaders before heading to Inuvik in the territory’s northwest corner. The prime minister is set to co-host the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee on Thursday with Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, a national organization representing Inuit. It will be Carney’s second meeting...
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