By Carrie Ivardi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com DRYDEN — Significant steps have been taken throughout the province to address courthouse security concerns in rural and remote communities. These steps followed an incident at a satellite court last summer when an OPP officer shot and killed 23-year-old Tyresse Roundsky in a Wapekeka courtroom. Dryden lawyer Karen Seeley said the new measures, which include “wanding” with handheld metal detectors, are very much related to the shooting. “Courthouse security has been an issue, not just as a result of Wapekeka but elsewhere as well,” Seeley said. “The province is taking steps across the province to address this and looking at single points of entries to courthouses, security, bringing in bag scanners, so those aren’t in all courthouses yet.” Seeley said she sometimes The post Security stepped up at satellite courts after fatal shooting appeared first on The Turtle Island News.

By Alessia Passafiume Two lawyers say the blurring of language on the right of First Nations to clean drinking water in a new bill serves as a shield for the federal government as it argues against that right in court. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty introduced the legislation on Tuesday. The bill seeks to ensure First Nations have access to clean drinking water on-reserve and the ability to protect source water on their territories if they enter into tripartite agreements with the federal and provincial governments. Bill C-37 states that the federal government will “further the progressive realization, for individuals on First Nation lands, of the human right to safe drinking water, as protected by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.” A previous bill introduced by the The post Lawyers say language change in First Nations water bill looks to shield government appeared first on The Turtle Island News.

By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Ontario Premier Doug Ford visited Thunder Bay on Tuesday and announced $2,804,955 in funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for upgrades at the Port of Thunder Bay and the Peninsula Harbour Port Authority in Marathon. Ford called both terminals key gateways in Northwestern Ontario for expanding east-west trade in Canada, strengthening domestic supply chains and creating jobs in the North, while reducing reliance on the U.S. Ford outlined the billions of dollars that have streamed into the North from the province as part of a plan to protect Ontario by building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy. “As part of that plan, . . . this funding will be used to expand Thunder Bay’s port storage and The post Northwestern ports look to deliver appeared first on The Turtle Island News.

By Maya Ekman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com OTTAWA — Canada Minister of Indigenous Services put forward the First Nations Clean Water Act, Bill C-37, on Tuesday morning, along with the “single largest funding commitment ever made for First Nations,” $4.6 billion over five years. “Across Canada there are laws and regulations that set minimum standards for drinking water, but in First Nation communities, there are not. This legislative gap that impacts only First Nation people is unacceptable and must be addressed,” said Minister Mandy Gull-Masty. “Today there are 36 remaining First Nations with long-term drinking water advisories. We know that is 36 too many,” she said. Most long-term drinking advisories, 24, are in Northwestern Ontario, including in Neskantaga First Nation which has been under a boil water advisory for The post Ottawa announces ‘largest funding commitment ever made for First Nations’ appeared first on The Turtle Island News.

By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook CANMORE – Tara Beaver watches cattle graze in the field near her home in Mînî Thnî. The mothers care and lead their young, and from afar, the Îyârhe Nakoda artist and poet takes note, turning her observations into her latest sculpture and poetry project. “Cows are matriarchal,” said Beaver. “All the bulls don’t stay in the pen with all the mothers, and the mothers help each other to rest and they take turns.” With a cow skull as her canvas, Beaver uses paint, flowers and a dreamcatcher to create a sculpture that reflects on matriarchal roles and the deep connection she has to the land and the animals sustained by it. “I didn’t understand a lot of things until I The post Canmore’s ‘Resurgence’ gallery honours Indigenous voices, strength appeared first on The Turtle Island News.

By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook KANANASKIS – With increased development and visitation on the horizon, Kananaskis Improvement District is looking to get a jump on the growth through the creation of a tourism reserve fund. Approved by council in May, the tourism planning and development reserve fund gives the district financial breathing room to manage the impacts of growth anticipated to create pressure on infrastructure, resources and services throughout the region. “If we’re getting bombarded by development permits from every stakeholder in the valley, we’re not a large municipality, we’re an Improvement District, and it needs to be supplemented,” said Cody English, chair of KID council. A final policy creating guardrails around the use of the tourism planning and development reserve fund was unanimously approved The post Increasing visitation, development in Kananaskis prompt creation of tourism reserve fund appeared first on The Turtle Island News.

By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Indigenous people in British Columbia who have been affected by police violence, misconduct or negligence can now access free legal supports through the B.C. First Nations Justice Council (Justice Council). First launched as a pilot program in 2024, the Police Accountability Unit (PAU) was created in effort to give Indigenous communities a more meaningful role in police oversight and accountability in the province. “It’s great that they are trying to do something now. It only took so many Indigenous people to die in the hands of law enforcement and people custody. It’s sad that it’s taken this long for it to come,” said Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation Martha Martin. Martin is the mother of Chantel Moore, the 26-year-old Tla-o-qui-aht woman who was shot The post New Police Accountability Unit established in B.C. for Indigenous people appeared first on The Turtle Island News.

By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer BC’s push to study two major hydroelectric dams is reviving old fights over rivers, salmon and Indigenous rights — and environmental groups say the province is getting ahead of itself. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said Monday the province is “seriously” re-examining two large hydro options: Site E on the Peace River in Treaty 8 territory, as well as another connected to the Homathko River, which flows into Bute Inlet northeast of Powell River, near the Discovery Islands. Neither project has been approved. The work now is technical: finding out whether the sites could help meet future electricity demand, which the province expects to rise 20 per cent by 2030 and 50 per cent by 2050. BC is trying to find The post New hydro dam proposals reopen old wounds in Northern BC appeared first on The Turtle Island News.

By Alessia Passafiume A senior federal bureaucrat has been named the interim Commissioner of Indigenous Languages. Candice St-Aubin, who was recently a senior assistant deputy minister of strategic policy with Indigenous Services Canada, will serve in the role for 90 days or until a new commissioner is named. The federal order announcing the appointment says it will be effective as of July 13. The Office of the Commissioner of the Indigenous Languages is currently undergoing a financial audit. Former employees reported a toxic work environment and spending they called improper, including $10 million to host a four-day conference in Ottawa last year. Canadian Heritage Minister Marc Miller called the allegations against the department serious, but stressed due process needs to be followed. This report by The Canadian Press was first The post Candice St-Aubin named interim Commissioner of Indigenous Languages appeared first on The Turtle Island News.

Hockey Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier will be featured on a Canada Post stamp to celebrate Indigenous leaders in sport. Stamps featuring Trottier, a six-time Stanley Cup champion as a player, Chief Wilton Littlechild and Edward Lennie were unveiled Wednesday at the Calgary Public Library. Canada Post launched the first of its Indigenous leaders stamp series in 2022 to highlight the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people who have helped preserve their culture and improve the quality of life for Indigenous Peoples of Canada. Trottier of Val Marie, Sask., is the all-time leader in points and assists for the New York Islanders. The 69-year-old ​​co-founded the ​​Aboriginal Alumni Hockey Team that has played games, offered clinics and provided mentorship to young people across Canada.   A Canada Post The post Bryan Trottier among Indigenous sport leaders featured on Canada Post stamps appeared first on The Turtle Island News.