K’ómoks becomes first Indigenous government to appoint justice of the peace
By Spencer Sacht-Lund Local Journalism Initiative K’ómoks First Nation has appointed as its inaugural justice of the peace the former head of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. On Thursday, K’ómoks named trailblazing judge Marion Buller to the new judicial role. According to the First Nation, it’s the first Indigenous government in the country to create such a post with lawmaking powers taken back from the Indian Act. “This will be a wonderful opportunity to incorporate not only trauma-informed processes and practices, but also to place the emphasis on healing,” Buller said at a press conference last week, “because ultimately the goal is the safety and the health of the community.” Buller added in a statement that she hopes to be an “independent change-maker” for...
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Fossil fuel giant BP wants to start selling gas in New Brunswick
By Natasha Bulowski Local Journalism Initiative BP wants to expand and supply natural gas in New Brunswick, according to an application filed to the provincial regulator. The application said the company would not be selling directly to residents and was filed to the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board on Oct. 25 — four days after Premier Susan Holt was elected. “It shows that they have a renewed interest in the Maritimes and shows that they’re thinking long term,” Mario Levesque, a political science professor at Mount Allison University, told Canada’s National Observer in a phone interview. “It’s not going to change over the next year or two or three, but … they’re kind of lining up their ducks in order to be prepared on the ground for when things...
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Permanent salmon conservation hatchery to open in Chilcotin
By Andie Mollins, Local Journalism Initiative The Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG) is partnering with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to open a salmon conservation hatchery. The hatchery will be operated by the TNG in collaboration with the DFO and is intended to support the Tŝilhqot’in by helping local fish recover from recent population declines. “It’s our main food source so we have to keep the stock up…so that our people can have a good fishing season every year,” said vice-chair of TNG and Tŝideldel Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Otis Guichon in an interview with Black Press Media. A TNG press release notes Tŝilhqot’in territory, which includes the entire Chilcotin watershed, is a salmon stronghold and is home to the strongest annual sockeye run of the Fraser River. The watershed includes three salmon-bearing...
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Homeland Security shares new details of mysterious drone flights over New Jersey
NEW JERSEY-(CP)The large mysterious drones reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security. In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights switched off. The Morris County Republican was among several state and local lawmakers who met with state police and Homeland Security officials to discuss the spate of sightings that range from the New York City area through New Jersey and westward into parts of Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia. The devices do not appear to be being flown by hobbyists, Fantasia wrote. Dozens...
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Nine wind projects rolled out to meet B.C.’s surging clean energy demands
By Rochelle Baker Local Journalism Initiative BC Hydro has unveiled nine new wind projects to meet the growing demand for clean energy while keeping rates affordable for public and industrial users. Adrian Dix, the new Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, announced the projects alongside Premier David Eby on Monday. Dix said the projects will enhance B.C.’s clean energy supply, strengthen the economy and uphold the province’s commitment to affordable rates and reconciliation with Indigenous communities. So they can be completed as quickly as possible, the province intends to exempt the new wind projects — and any future wind energy projects — from environmental assessment, while ensuring First Nations’ interests and environmental concerns, Dix said. The successful proponents were among 21 proposals submitted to BC Hydro in response to its...
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B.C. First Nation to develop salmon hatchery with Fisheries Department
BC-(CP)-The Tsilhqot’in National Government in British Columbia says it has formed a “historic partnership” with the federal Fisheries Department to develop a permanent salmon conservation hatchery in its territory. It says the hatchery will be managed by the nation, which is host to three salmon-bearing watersheds: the Chilcotin, the Chilko, and the Taseko rivers. The First Nation says the recovery of fish stocks has been a “long-standing nation-wide priority” and a larger, permanent hatchery will help bring back wild stocks, while supporting traditional fishing practices. It says its lands are home to spawning and nursery grounds for a sockeye run, noting that the salmon have faced significant challenges resulting in low returns. Joe Alphonse, Tsilhqot’in National Government’s tribal chair, says in a news release that a landslide this summer that...
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Feds release funds for women’s organizations in the North
ByTalar Stockton Local Journalism Initiative Eleven million dollars of federal funds have been released for northern women’s organizations. The announcement was made in Whitehorse on Dec. 8, 2024, by Marci Ien, the federal minister of women and gender equality and youth. The funds are spread across 16 different women’s organizations from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL, to Prince George, B.C. However, over $5 million of the funds will go to Toronto-based Canadian Women’s Foundation for programming focused on gender equality in the North. Ien was joined by Yukoners Élodie Bernard of Francophone organization Les EssentiElles and Liz Peredun of Yukon Women in Trades and Technology (YWITT). The organizations received $584,070 and $599,096, respectively. Peredun, the executive director of YWITT, said the funding was “a testament to endorsing the belief of what...
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Collecting donations for Six Nations Food Bank
Six Nations Police along with everyone’s buddy “Buster” were spotted at Veterans’ Park last week setting up to collect donations for Six Nations Food Bank in time for Christmas. (Photo by Jim C. Powless)...
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AFN demands national inquiry into systemic racism in policing, police-related deaths
The Canadian Press OTTAWA-The Assembly of First Nations is demanding the federal government launch a national inquiry into systemic racism in policing and the deaths of First Nations people. A resolution penned by Chief Allan Polchies of St. Mary’s First Nation says despite 20 individual inquiries and commissions into the police and justice system since 1989, the federal government has failed to make substantive changes to address systemic racism within the RCMP and other agencies. Polchies told those gathered at the AFN’s special chiefs assembly in Ottawa that First Nations people should feel safe on their own lands, and shouldn’t be afraid of police. His resolution comes after a string of incidents between Aug. 29 and Sept. 24 that left nine First Nations people dead during or after interactions with...
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Assembly of First Nations chiefs put Canada’s leaders on hot seat
By Lynda Powless Editor OTTAWA- Despite calls from First Nations, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not commit to holding a national inquiry on systemic racism in policing in addressing the Assembly of First Nations Ottawa gathering. Speaking at the AFN Thursday (Dec 5) session Trudeau acknowledged the pain of First Nations mothers who have had to bury their children after an interaction with police. Trudeau and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh addressed the Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa two days after the chiefs passed a resolution calling for an inquiry into policing and police-related deaths. That resolution came after nine First Nations people were killed in less than four weeks in August and September. Three women whose sons and daughters died during or after an interaction with police took to...
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Six Nations own source revenues continues to bail out band deficits
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC), who has had its 2023-2024 audit for weeks, finally dropped the document on its website Monday showing the community is picking up over $9 million in costs to run government programs. The almost six-month late audit shows last year (2022-2023) the band received a total of $120,103,972 in federal and provincial government transfers compared to the cost to run the band at $129,262,977. Without Six Nations own source revenues SNEC would have been facing an almost $10 million deficit. Looking at the 2023-2024 audit it shows Six Nations own source revenues totaled $38,763,053, that included $11,663,674 in Ontario First Nation Ltd Partnership (OFNLP) funding, rent and land related revenues of $14,685,707, donations of $1,314,742, Investment income of $10,561,290 ,a Grand River...
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Ontario First Nations mull next steps on child welfare amid various legal opinions
CP-First Nations leaders are split over next steps after a landmark $47.8 billion child welfare reform deal with Canada was struck down, prompting differing legal opinions from both sides. The Assembly of First Nations and a board member of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society have received competing legal opinions on potential ways forward. Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict says the chiefs he represents are still hoping the reform agreement with Ottawa that chiefs outside the province voted down two months ago is not moot. Chiefs in Ontario are interveners in the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal case that led to its realization. He added there are also concerns that some of the elements in the new negotiation mandate outlined by chiefs in an October assembly go beyond the...
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Justin Trudeau…stop the tears…call an inquiry
Indigenous women, mothers, stood in front of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa last week. They took a deep breath, and they tried, often stopping to wipe away tears, to tell, not just their story but the story no parent ever wants to tell, the death of their child. They told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau their children died in interactions with police. Edith Wells told Prime Minister Trudeau her son died after being tackled, punched and tasered by police at a Calgary hotel. She told everyone within hearing distance, “They murdered my boy, they killed my son,” as she broke down in tears and was helped from the room. AFN chiefs passed a resolution during last week’s conference calling for an inquiry...
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First Nations want in on Arctic Sovereignty talks
AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, and Dene National Chief and Regional Chief George Mackenzie Call on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Include First Nations in National Dialogues on Arctic Sovereignty -First Nations leaders are calling on Canada to include them Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy document. The Arctic Foreign Policydocument was updated recently to include additional points on Indigenous sovereignty, meaningful consultation and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA). “As the Prime Minister and Canadian Premiers convene to discuss pivotal issues such as Arctic sovereignty, national security, and cross-border trade, it is crucial to acknowledge that the future of Canada’s relations with the United States and the transitions facing our economy cannot be effectively addressed without the active involvement of...
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Martin feeling more confidence in sophomore season with Toronto Rock
By Sam Laskaris Writer Now that he has a year of pro experience under his belt, Six Nations member Justin Martin agrees his situation is a bit different. Martin was a rookie with the Toronto Rock, members of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), last season. He ended up collecting 16 points (10 goals and six assists) in 18 regular season games. He then chipped in with four points, including a goal, in the team’s three playoff contests. But now that he’s in his second year in the pro loop, Martin, nicknamed Skibbs, is no longer the shy player wondering what will happen as he makes his way around the league. “I feel like I have my footing now,” Martin said this past Saturday, moments after the Rock’s home opener. “I’m...
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Ten-team lacrosse tournament captured by DownBelow squad
By Sam Laskaris Writer A pair of Six Nations entrants met for bragging rights in the final of the local Dreamcatcher Lacrosse Festival. All matches in the 10-team tournament, which concluded on Sunday, were staged at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Six Nations. A club dubbed DownBelow edged the Frog Pond Maulers 5-4 in the championship final. Elan Henhawk, a local goaltender, is a spokesperson for the DownBelow team. Henhawk and his brothers Stephen and Allan are responsible for putting together the squad’s roster as well. This marked the ninth year of the tourney, organized by the Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation. DownBelow, a team that was put together by the Henhawks in 2019 to enter various tournaments, had also won the Dreamcatcher event in 2022. The squad failed to advance past...
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Local players looking to lead FireWolves to championship
By Sam Laskaris Writer They came close last year. But three Six Nations players – Doug Jamieson, Marshall Powless and Travis Longboat – are looking to take things one step further this season and help the Albany FireWolves capture a National Lacrosse League (NLL) championship. The local players were members of the FireWolves that advanced to the 2024 NLL championship final this past spring. But the Albany squad was downed 2-0 in the best-of-three final by the Buffalo Bandits, who captured their second consecutive league title. Albany posted an 11-7 mark last season, good for third place in the standings of the 15-team pro league. The FireWolves then eliminated the Halifax Thunderbirds and San Diego Seals in post-season action before being downed by the Bandits in the final. Thus, it’s...
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Trudeau set to speak with premiers to tackle Trump’s tariff plan
OTTAWA-(CP)-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to meet with provincial and territorial premiers this afternoon to talk Canada-U.S. relations. The premiers will virtually discuss a joint plan to tackle the threat of 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports by incoming U.S. president Donald Trump. The meeting is the first time Trudeau will address the premiers following his dinner with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. It comes one day after Trump made a social media post referring to Trudeau as a governor of “the great state of Canada” — a nod to his ribbing that Canada should join the U.S. as its 51st state. The meeting also comes as the countdown begins for an extended winter break for the House of Commons starting next week. MPs cleared a hurdle last...
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NAPS and province announce historic agreement
By Mike Stimpson Local Journalism Initiative THUNDER BAY — Nishnawbe Aski Police Service has “opted in” to become the first legislated Indigenous police force in Ontario. The historic move makes NAPS accountable under the same laws as municipal police services in the province and gives it access to regular funding. Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and provincial Solicitor General Michael Kerzner made it official with a brief signing ceremony after a news conference in Toronto. Opting in on the standards and rules set out in the province’s Community Safety and Policing Act is good for NAPS and the 34 northern communities it serves, Fiddler said. With the opting-in, the service’s board has also entered into a funding agreement with Ontario. “We have worked for years to have our...
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