Peatlands ‘just as important as the Amazon’
By Amanda Rabski-McColl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The second largest carbon sink on earth is everyone’s responsibility. That message was delivered at the Breathing Lands Omushkego Aski Can Save Us presentation at the Timmins Museum: NEC on Sunday afternoon as residents learned more about the peatlands in Northern Ontario. “We knew that we had to get the word out to draw attention and build the education around it because it’s so important,” said Anna Baggio, Wildlands League’s conservation director. “Timmins is only about 200 kilometres from the Hudson Bay lowland, so you’re not far.” Omushkego Aski is the Cree translation for the breathing lands, which are ancient peatlands in the Muskegowuk Territory in the Hudson Bay lowlands. Wildlands League is a Toronto-based conservation organization that works with communities, governments, First...
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Flag raising at B.C. legislature honours residential school survivors, lost children
VICTORIA -Fresh fall winds helped mark a flag-raising ceremony today at the British Columbia legislature honouring residential school survivors and remembering children who never came home. The orange and white Survivors’ Flag will be flown at the front lawn of the legislature until sundown on Saturday, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Indigenous leaders and politicians representing B.C.’s New Democrats, BC United and Greens participated in the flag-raising ceremony ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation when the flag will be flown at federal, provincial and municipal buildings across Canada. Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the legislature, says he is committed to ensuring the legislature is a welcoming, inclusive place for everybody. He says the Survivors’ Flag is a welcome sign to a legislature building that has been...
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Most evacuation orders, alerts lifted in B.C.’s Okanagan wildfires
WEST KELOWNA, B.C.- Evacuation orders and alerts have been lifted for all but one property in West Kelowna, B.C., about five weeks after thousands were chased out by a fast-moving wildfire. Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says BC Wildfire Service crews are now patrolling the fire’s edge, working to extinguish any remaining hot spots, but warn nearby communities can expect to see smoke within the perimeter in the coming weeks. The 139-square-kilometre McDougall Creek fire swept down on West Kelowna on the evening of Aug. 17, engulfing residential streets that were evacuated with little time to spare. A provincewide state of emergency was declared the next day, as the same winds that fuelled the McDougall Creek blaze fanned fires in the Shuswap region. About half of the 400 structures or homes...
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Doig River First Nations looking to establish urban reserve in Dawson Creek
By Tom Summer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Doig River First Nations wants to develop an urban reserve in Dawson Creek, and presented the process to Mayor and council at the city’s September 25, 2023 meeting. Chief Trevor Makadahay said the urban reserve is an opportunity to foster relationships with the City of Dawson Creek and community, contributing to the local economy, and bolstering self-sufficiency for Doig River. “It’s good to start a good relationship on, you know, a good note,” said Makadahay. “And basically, today we’re here to open up some discussions – we did do some investing in the city and some land, and we do want to start the process on urban reserve.” It hasn’t been precisely decided what the vision for the urban reserve will be, but...
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Seven First Nations strike historic deal on nuclear power
By John Chilibeck Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Seven Mi’kmaq communities in New Brunswick and the tribal organization that represents them are investing in two companies that want to build small nuclear reactors in the province, a controversial decision not all Indigenous leaders support. The North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council and the seven First Nations whose communities hug New Brunswick’s northern and eastern shores are making financial investments in both Moltex and ARC, via separate agreements. One will see them receiving $2 million in share value from Moltex, and the other $1 million in share value from ARC. Indigenous leaders who gathered with company officials at the Saint John Arts Centre on Monday morning said they had struck the historic, unprecedented deal to help avert a global warming crisis and to...
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QIA `always going to advocate’ for completion of truth commission’s 25 recommendations
By Tom Taylor Local Journalism Initiative Reporter In 2010, the Qikiqtani Truth Commission (QTC) published a list of 25 recommendations aimed at mitigating the impacts of colonialism and racism on the Inuit of Nunavut’s Qikiqtani region. Some 13 years later, efforts are still underway to meet those recommendations. “We’re always going to advocate for all of the items on the list ,” said Inukshuk Aksalnik, manager of Qikiqtani Truth Commission Implementation and Programs at the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA). “It’s not going to be a simple checkmark, you’re done kind of thing. It’s something that we’ll always work towards implementing.” The QTC was created by the Inuit-led QIA in 2007, with the aim of gathering evidence on the treatment of Qikiqtani Inuit between 1950 and 1975, when residential schools were still...
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First Nations community in northern Alberta evacuates again due to wildfire
Alta.- Residents of a First Nations community in northern Alberta who had to evacuate in the spring due to an encroaching wildfire have been forced to flee again due to an out-of-control blaze. The Dene Tha’ First Nation issued an evacuation order late Friday night for Chateh due to a wildfire about 15 kilometres southeast of the community. A wildfire update issued by Alberta’s government on Saturday noted the blaze has also impacted a power line that runs along Highway 58 — which has now been closed — resulting in the loss of power to the communities of Rainbow Lake, Chateh and Zama City. Emergency shelter for evacuees is being provided at the sports complex in High Level, Alta. Alberta’s 511 highway website says that even though Highway 58 is...
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Proposed sign project to recognize Treaty 9
By Amanda Rabski-McColl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Conversations continue about a sign recognizing First Nations, Metis, and **>Inuit<** communities in Timmins. The City of Timmins Indigenous Advisory Committee has been talking about the proposed sign since its March meeting. It was initially brought up by Pierre Vien, a member of the Metis Nation of Ontario Timmins council, who proposed the sign to promote the Indigenous services available in the city. Since then, the sign project has changed to recognize that Timmins is situated on Treaty 9. Committee member Catherine Gull voiced concerns about the clarity of the message and who will be crafting that message. “If you’re going to have a sign here, you need to talk to the Treaty chiefs,” said Gull. “Would it be something that should be...
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We carry DNA from extinct cousins like Neanderthals. Science is now revealing their genetic legacy
By Laura Ungar And Maddie Burakoff THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Neanderthals live on within us. These ancient human cousins, and others called Denisovans, once lived alongside our early Homo sapiens ancestors. They mingled and had children. So some of who they were never went away _ it’s in our genes. And science is starting to reveal just how much that shapes us. Using the new and rapidly improving ability to piece together fragments of ancient DNA, scientists are finding that traits inherited from our ancient cousins are still with us now, affecting our fertility, our immune systems, even how our bodies handled the COVID-19 virus. “We’re now carrying the genetic legacies and learning about what that means for our bodies and our health,” said Mary Prendergast, a Rice University archeologist. In...
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Scam alert: text, messages being sent out across region on `grocery rebate’
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Canada Revenue Agency is warning residents of the West Kootenay about a new fraud. The agency said fraudsters have been sending emails and text messages,_ to people throughout the region including Nelson and Castlegar, offering people the new federal government grocery rebate. In the text of the messages, the fraudsters claim to be representing the CRA. “The CRA reminds all Canadians to beware of fraudulent telephone calls, emails or text messages claiming to be from the CRA,” the agency said in a statement. “These are scams that could result in identity and financial theft.” People eligible for the grocery rebate will either have a cheque mailed to them or have the funds automatically deposited into their bank account. As well, the CRA...
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Manitoba could make history by electing first First Nations premier to lead province
By Brittany Hobson THE CANADIAN PRESS WINNIPEG-A First Nations premier would head a province for the first time in Canadian history if the New Democrats win the Oct. 3 Manitoba election, and the significance is not lost on party leader Wab Kinew. “My dad was not allowed to vote when he was a young man, and I have a shot at potentially leading the province,” he said in an interview with The Canadian Press last month. “That’s a big change that speaks to progress in our country and in our province within one generation.” Kinew was born in Ontario and lived on the Onigaming First Nation as a young boy. His late father was a residential school survivor who endured horrific abuse and passed on to Kinew the importance of...
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Six Nations Elected Council nominations are in with two vying for elected chief
By Lynda Powless Editor SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- Its official…Six Nations is in election mode! Nominations for Six Nations coming November band council elections are in and there are two people seeking the top spot on the elected council, former Elected Chief Steve Williams and current councillor Sherri-Lyn Hill. Saturday’s (Sept., 23, 2023) nominations at the Six Nations community hall resulted in 14 people running for 12 councillor seats including six members of the current council and there are some surprising names surfacing. Running for councillor positions are: Cynthia Jamieson, Steve Williams was also nominated as a councillor, Hazel Johnson, Audrey Powless-Bomberry, Alaina Marie VanEvery, Melba Iris Thomas, Amos George Key, Kerry Dean Bomberry, Rheva Helen Miller, Gregory Hal Frazer, Carole Lesley Greene, Jennifer Lynn Murdock, Dean Earl...
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Haldimand OPP charge four in thefts from vehicles in Caledonia
CALEDONIA, ON – Haldimand County OPP have charged two Hamilton teenagers and two youths after reports of thefts from vehicles in Caledonia. Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Haldimand Detachment responded to a call September 21, 2023, at approximately 4:30 a.m., after a citizens reported seeing an individual attempting to enter a vehicle on Jamieson Drive in Caledonia. Responding officers located the suspect vehicle, but it fled the scene. A short time later, police received a report of a collision on Caledonia Avenue involving the suspect vehicle. Officers on patrol located and arrested five individuals, four of which were charged. Dylan Raposo, 18, of Hamilton and Zamil Ali, 18, of Hamilton, are both charged under the Criminal Code with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (under $5000) and Obstruct Peace Officer. Both...
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Police injured in ‘moments of chaos’: Coquitlam, B.C. mayor
COQUITLAM, B.C- Police officers have been injured amid what the mayor of Coquitlam, B.C., says were moments of chaos in his city’s downtown core. Richard Stewart couldn’t share details of the officers’ injuries, but said he had been briefed on the situation along with Premier David Eby and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth. “This kind of stuff is extremely troubling,” Stewart said. Eby said there had been a critical incident involving RCMP in the Metro Vancouver suburb. “And as soon as we can share more information, we will, but (the) public is not at further risk at this time,” Eby told reporters at a question-and-answer session after he spoke to an annual convention of local politicians. Coquitlam Mounties announced shortly after 11 a.m. Friday that an area several blocks long in a...
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Brantford Police arrest four youth after assault involving multiple youths
BRANTFORD, ONT- Brantford Police Service (BPS) have arrested four youths and are continuing to investigate an overnight assault involving multiple youth in the Brantwood Park Road area that saw two youth suffer non-life-threatening injuries after being stabbed. Police received a 911 call reporting the dispute at about 8:30 pm Thursday, September 21, 2023. The caller told police multiple youth were involved in a dispute which escalated, resulting in two youth sustaining non-life-threatening injuries from a stabbing. The victims were transported to hospital for treatment of the injuries. This investigation is active and ongoing with four youths arrested at this time.The Brantford Police Service said it has been working in collaboration with representatives from both the Grand Erie District School Board and the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board to...
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Millions added to B.C. funding for rural, volunteer and First Nations firefighters
VANCOUVER- The British Columbia government is providing more money to rural, First Nations and volunteer fire departments across the province. A statement from the Office of the Premier says the money will be used to help local fire departments upgrade equipment and training. The statement says $1.4 million will go to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities for community firefighting training and the purchase of new or replacement fire hoses, first-aid kits or other equipment. The Fire Chiefs’ Association of B.C. will receive $1.75 million to provide fire training for rural and First Nations fire departments, while another $1.6 million will go toward an education campaign targeting youths, seniors and those most at risk of fire-related injuries. The province says the funding builds on the $6.3 million provided to more...
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Six Nations man facing Dangerous Driving charge
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- Six Nations Police have charged at 47-year-old local man with Dangerous Driving after spotting a vehicle speed through a four-way stop. Police said on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at about 1 :00 AM, Six Nations Police officers saw a Sports Utility vehicle travelling in the wrong lane at a high rate of speed on Tuscarora Road that failed to stop for the four-way stop sign at an intersection. Police pulled the vehicle over and the driver was placed under arrest without incident. As a result of the arrest police also learned the driver had an outstanding Arrest Warrant due to failing to appear in court on other matters. As a result, Roger Martin, 47, of Ohsweken was arrsted and charged with: – Dangerous Driving...
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CP NewsAlert: Critical incident involving RCMP, B.C. Premier David Eby says
CP NewsAlert: COQUITLAM, B.C.- British Columbia Premier David Eby says there’s been a critical incident involving RCMP in the Metro Vancouver suburb of Coquitlam. A witness on the scene says she saw an officer with a bloody leg and a tourniquet above the wound. Coquitlam Mounties announced shortly after 11 a.m. that an area several blocks long in a business and residential area of the city had been closed off due to an ongoing police incident. MORE TO COME…...
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‘Ajuinnata Ukraine’: Gov. Gen. Mary Simon inspires Zelenskyy with Inuktitut word
OTTAWA-Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ended his historic wartime address to Canada’s House of Commons with an Inuktitut message of inspiration and reliance that came from the Governor General herself. Zelenskyy met with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon earlier in the day, when she taught him an Inuktitut word she has shared with world leaders, Indigenous communities and Canadian children alike: ajuinnata. He says she told him the word means don’t give up, and stay strong against all odds. Simon is Canada’s first Indigenous person to hold her position, and she has referred to the Inuit concept of ajuinnata countless times since she took on the job in 2021. The Governor General’s office says the word is meaningful to Simon, who heard it from her elders while growing up, and adds that...
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Four Points Books presents Indigenous Speaker series
By Julia Archelene Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Invermere’s local bookstore, Four Points Books, presents their September Speaker Series, featuring three leaders from the local Indigenous Peoples. “Leading into Truth & Reconciliation Day, we wanted to help our community learn more about the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share the Columbia Valley,” said bookstore owner Grant Hofer. The Speaker Series featured senior Metis representative Debra Fisher on Sept. 14. The next event in the series will be held Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m and includes representatives from Secwepemc and K’tunaxa nations Everyone is welcome to attend for free and can register in advance online. Fisher, who is the regional director of Metis Nation BC (Region 4) and past president of the Columbia Valley Metis Association (CVMA), discussed the definition of “Truth...
