‘This is an epidemic’: Retired OPP sergeant channels grief into action
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com After losing their 15-year-old nephew to a drug-related killing, Randy Cota and Betty Sue Crawford couldn’t stand by any longer. The married couple — he a retired OPP sergeant, she a band representative for Attawapiskat First Nation — channelled their grief into action. In 2022, they launched Creegonquin, an Indigenous-owned K9 security and community wellness business based in Moosonee. Their mission is to stop deadly drugs like fentanyl from reaching remote First Nations communities. “About three years ago, our nephew was murdered in Moosonee. He was stabbed to death over the drugs that were being brought in,” Cota told TimminsToday. That tragedy set the couple on a path that now has their drug-sniffing dogs — each trained and certified in Canada and the...
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First Nations infrastructure critical but not nation-building: minister
By Alessia Passafiume The new federal Crown-Indigenous relations minister says there’s a “critical” need to build up First Nations infrastructure — but that work won’t qualify for the federal government’s push to fast-track what it calls “nation-building” projects. The federal government is developing legislation to speed up work on certain projects with a streamlined regulatory approval process as a substitute for reviews under the Impact Assessment Act. Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty said in an interview with The Canadian Press that while closing the First Nations infrastructure gap is important, it’s not considered nation-building and would be pursued outside the proposed legislation. “It’s about looking to make sure that it’s not just for one community or one region,” Alty said of the legislation. “It’s a separate and really important issue...
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11th Annual Salmon Fest spotlights drumming, dance, and traditional crafts
By Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince Rupert Northern View Festival goers from across northwest B.C. celebrated cultural expression and community spirit at the vibrant Salmon Festival in Prince Rupert on May 23 and 24. The event, organized by the Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Dancers & Society, featured a range of local artistry, delicious seafood, and traditional performances. “I think it’s important for our community and visitors to come out and just witness the event. It’s a free event, and it’s so full of cultural knowledge and insight,” said Marlena Joseph, a Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Dancers’ dance director. As usual, the event featured plenty of drumming and dancing from numerous local groups. But Joseph noted there were over 30 vendors this year, which was more than ever before. Talented craftspeople lined the...
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Statistics show homelessness on the rise in Cold Lake
By Chantel Downes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeland This Week The Cold Lake John Howard Society delivered an update to City council during the May 13 regular meeting, highlighting an increase in local homelessness, mental health crises, and increased community reliance on the shelter’s services. The society’s Board Chair Candice Sutterfield and Program Manager Leona Heisler presented the 2025 first-quarter report, revealing that 154 individuals, each with unique identifiers, have accessed shelter services so far this year. That marks an increase from the same period in 2024, when 123 unique individuals were served in the first quarter. Of those served in 2025, 74 per cent had been homeless for more than six months, and nearly 90 per cent reported co-occurring mental health and substance use issues—highlighting a growing complexity in...
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Mix of new and returning faces after Métis Nation-Saskatchewan election
By Ryan Kiedrowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The World-Spectator Election Day for the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan took place on May 24, and as the unofficial results posted last indicated, three positions were too close to officially call. The tightest race was in Eastern Region 2, where only two votes separated Brent Digness and Nancy Duns, 96 and 94 respectively. The position of vice president also saw a narrow lead by Michelle LeClair with 1,788 votes to Karen Larocque’s 1,706. Jason McKay also ran for the position, garnering 1,483 votes. The treasurer position was another strong race with five candidates running—Jeremy Denomie, Myra Malboeuf, Dale McAuley, Beth Westfall, and Patricia Young. Denomie leads with 1,248 votes, followed closely by McAuley with 1,205. Digness, LeClair, and Denomie have been elected, but subject to...
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Province eyes Meteor Lake Wetland for conservation
By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Rocky Mountain Goat The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship is considering giving the Wildlife Management Area designation to the Meteor Lake Wetland, an area in the Robson Valley along the upper Fraser River. The roughly 2,400-hectare area contains at least 15 different wetland ecological communities, including bogs, marshes, and shallow open-water wetlands, according to a letter the Ministry sent to the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George in early May. The designation is a long-term conservation strategy that establishes guidelines for conserving important fish and wildlife habitat, the ministry said in a statement to The Goat. “WMAs [Wildlife Management Areas] often concurrently provide for a range of opportunities for public access, including day hiking, hunting and fishing, wildlife viewing, scientific research...
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Peru reduces Nazca Lines park by 42%, raising concerns over environmental and heritage risks
By Steven Grattan BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Peru’s decision to shrink its archeological park home to the famous Nazca Lines by around 42% — an area roughly the size of 1,400 soccer fields — has sparked alarm among conservationists, archaeologists and environmental advocates. Critics say the rollback paves the way for informal mining and weakens decades of cultural and ecological protection, while the government says the adjustment reflects updated scientific studies and does not compromise the UNESCO World Heritage status or the site’s core protections. “The reduction not only removes protections — it does so precisely where extractive activity is expanding,” said Mariano Castro, Peru’s former vice minister of the environment, adding that the decision could cause “very serious risks and cumulative damage,” as it excludes zones with active or...
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First Nations infrastructure critical but not nation-building: minister
By Alessia Passafiume The new federal Crown-Indigenous relations minister says there’s a “critical” need to build up First Nations infrastructure — but that work won’t qualify for the federal government’s push to fast-track what it calls “nation-building” projects. The federal government is developing legislation to speed up work on certain projects with a streamlined regulatory approval process as a substitute for reviews under the Impact Assessment Act. Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty told The Canadian Press that closing the First Nations infrastructure gap is important but it’s not considered nation-building work and would be pursued outside the proposed legislation. “It’s about looking to make sure that it’s not just for one community or one region,” Alty said of the legislation. “It’s a separate and really important issue that we need...
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G7 protests to be livestreamed to leaders in Kananaskis to give protesters a voice
By Bill Graveland Law enforcement officials overseeing security at the upcoming G7 leaders summit in Alberta are expecting large protests but plan to make sure they stay peaceful. That includes livestreaming some of the sites to Kananaskis, where leaders from Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and the European Union will meet from June 15 to 17. “These three designated G7 demonstration zones will have live audio and video feeds, which will be broadcast to G7 leaders and delegations at the site of the summit in Kananaskis,” said RCMP Chief Supt. David Hall at a media briefing Monday. “People who want to express themselves, as is their right, can’t get close to the leaders, so the leaders won’t see and hear the protests. So by...
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Former national chief calls for list of demands as PM, premiers talk infrastructure
By Alessia Passafiume The former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is calling for an emergency meeting of chiefs to come up with demands for Canada’s governments as they look to fast-track projects they see as in the “national interest.” Phil Fontaine said the federal, provincial and territorial governments are trying to demolish First Nations rights and interests as they move to accelerate project approvals in a way that does not “honour the First Peoples.” “It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a gathering such as this one — a rally — to demonstrate our undying commitment to the protection of the land and our resources and our water,” Fontaine said in front of hundreds of protesters outside Queen’s Park on Monday. First Nations leaders gathered...
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Hundreds of First Nations members protest Ontario mining bill at Queen’s Park
By Liam Casey and Allison Jones Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government is pushing through a controversial mining bill despite the protests of several hundred First Nations members who came from the far north to the front lawn of Queen’s Park on Monday. “Kill Bill 5, kill Bill 5,” the crowd chanted. The province moved to shut down debate on a mining law known as Bill 5 that would give the government power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects in areas deemed to have economic importance – and remove some endangered species protections. The proposed legislation has sparked an angry backlash from First Nations who say the bill tramples their rights and ignores their concerns. They’ve asked the province to scrap the bill and to draft legislation alongside...
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Hotel spaces freed up in Winnipeg for wildfire evacuees, Alberta dealing with winds
By Brittany Hobson Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Monday hotels in Winnipeg are opening up to thousands of evacuees who have fled their homes due to raging wildfires. Speaking ahead of the premiers’ conference in Saskatoon, Kinew said some 1,000 hotel rooms are being made available for evacuees in the province’s capital city. “Nobody wants to sleep on a cot for more than a day or two, even in an emergency,” Kinew said. “We’re connecting folks who need those enhanced accessibility supports first and then broadening it out to everybody else who needs help, too.” More than 17,000 people have been displaced since last week, including all 5,000 residents of Flin Flon. Emergency centres were set up as available hotel rooms in cities have been scarce. Some residents from Pimicikamak...
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Nipissing First Nation leads rally against Ontario’s Bill 5
By David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, BayToday.ca About 70 people gathered before MPP Vic Fedeli’s office on North Bay’s Main Street today to protest the province’s proposed Bill 5. Nipissing First Nation (NFN) organized the event. Bill 5, the Unleashing Our Economy Act, is designed to fast-track economic development and holds many amendments to the Environmental Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. NFN is concerned that this expedited process will reduce opportunities for consultation between the province and First Nations. “Bill 5 is new legislation that could harm our land, weaken environmental protections, and ignore our Treaty rights. It was created without proper consultation with Indigenous peoples. This is not right and we must speak out,” NFN explained in a release. The demonstration was part of a larger...
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First Nations rally against Bill 5
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source TORONTO – Meaningless and unserious are words Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa uses to describe amendments the Ontario government proposes for its own Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act. The controversial bill, which would allow the province to designate “special economic zones” where provincial and municipal laws could be suspended for key projects, has sparked a backlash from First Nations that say it tramples on their treaty and constitutional rights. The government said last week it will seek to amend the bill to include a statement recognizing the province’s “duty to consult” First Nations and the implementation of “Indigenous-led economic zones.” “The government amendments are meaningless,” Mamakwa told Newswatch on Friday, ahead of an anti-Bill 5 rally...
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Man exonerated after Manitoba court quashes murder convictions
An Indigenous man in Manitoba who spent more than two decades in prison has had his three murder convictions quashed and the charges stayed. Former justice minister David Lametti referred the case of Robert Sanderson to the Manitoba Court of Appeal in 2023 for a new hearing, saying there was a likely a miscarriage of justice. Innocence Canada, the group that applied for the ministerial review of the convictions based on new evidence, said the Appeal Court ordered a new trial Friday and the Crown stayed proceedings Monday in Court of King’s Bench. James Lockyer, a founding director of Innocence Canada, said it has been a “long haul” for Sanderson and the organization. “We’ve known about his case for certainly more than a decade,” Lockyer said in an interview. “Just...
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First Manitoba Drinking Water Interns Graduate
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, June 03, 2025 — June is Indigenous History Month, and the graduation of 11 new Indigenous water operators marks a reason to celebrate. The graduates, from seven communities in the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council (IRTC), have completed Water First Education & Training Inc.’s 15-month Drinking Water Internship and are now certified with Class 1 water treatment and wastewater credentials, which will allow them to pursue further certification and employment as water operators. For Walter Spence of Peguis First Nation, the training he gained during the internship will support and enhance his current position. “I’m 56 years old and already work for the Public Works Department in my home community. But now I have a better understanding and additional skills to be able to make a greater contribution to...
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Saskatchewan fire evacuations grow after blaze breaches airport
The latest wildfire evacuees in Saskatchewan are being told to head south to Prince Albert after being ordered to leave the northern town of La Ronge. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency issued an evacuation order Monday afternoon for the 2,500 residents of La Ronge, as well as those in nearby Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band after a wildfire breached the town’s airport. Among the affected by the order are more than 45 acute-care patients and long-term care residents from the La Ronge Health Centre and care homes, who the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Canadian Red Cross are working to move. The out-of-control fire is fast moving and was listed at more than 836 square kilometres in size as of Monday evening. The La Ronge evacuation...
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Haldimand OPP find human remains in fatal fire
HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Haldimand County emergency services responding to a fully engulfed house fire at a Kinross Street, Caledonia address early Sunday, May 11, 2025 found human remains within the structure. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Haldimand County Detachment, Haldimand County Fire Department, and Paramedic Services responded at about 3:32 a.m.to a fire at a Kinross Street, in the town of Caledonia. Upon arrival firefighters found a fully enguled house fire and were able to extinquish th blaze, however, human remains were found inside the home. The identity of the deceased remains under investigation. The Haldimand County OPP Crime Unit is continuing to investigate in conjunction with the Office of the Fire Marshall, the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. The fire is not being...
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GNWT employees may get bonus for speaking Indigenous languages
By Eric Bowling, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North GWNT employees who learn one of the nine official Indigenous languages of the Northwest Territories may be eligible for a bonus under ongoing development of the Indigenous Recruitment Framework. A report highlighting the goals and progress of the program, now in its second year of operation, was released on Tuesday. “The GNWT recognizes the importance of sustained investment in Indigenous employment and is committed to building a representative, inclusive public service that reflects the population it serves,” said Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek. “Departmental Indigenous Employment Plans are driving meaningful progress and accountability. “We’re seeing more departments take ownership of their targets, explore innovative hiring approaches, and prioritize the advancement of Indigenous employees. This is about changing systems to create lasting opportunity.”...
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Tetlit Gwich’in to film climate change documentary on moose hunt
By Eric Bowling, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North Hunters, Elders and youth are organizing a fall moose hunt and will be filming the expedition with the help of a cash injection from the Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP). ‘Wisdom from the Water’ was awarded $30,000 during the May 13 AIP ceremony in Ottawa, one of 12 teams to receive a prize from the overall $3.7-million annual charitable event. “It’s still sinking in,” said Tetlit Gwich’in Chief Elizabeth Wright. “We’re very excited. “The youth will have this documented for further use, so that other youth who are not on the trip will be able to see it.” Wright said the idea came out of last year’s fall moose hunt, where a group of 15 youth joined hunters, Elders and other mentors...
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