First Nations Archives

Davidson: Unlocking the Ring of Fire

Ontario needs to fight for the Ring of Fire like Alberta fights for resource projects, writes columnist Mitch Davidson. ...

First Nations chief rates relationship with province a ‘two out of 10’

Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Chief R. Stacey Laforme says he hopes office space at Massey College can help improve things. ...

Permanent spring black bear hunt would orphan cubs, animal rights advocates warn

Fines for killing cubs, or females with cubs can run up to $25,000 and a one-year jail sentence. But advocates say it's hard to tell black bear sexes apart. ...

B.C. beats Ontario to become first province to pass Indigenous rights bill

“You just have to work with us, we’re not red-tape, we’re willing to work together,” says MPP Sol Mamakwa, whose bill on Indigenous rights is at the committee stage. ...

Young people sue Ford government for rolling back climate-change targets

The suit charges that the government contravened the charter-protected rights to life, liberty and security. ...

‘Red tape’ bill will undermine First Nations consultation rights, Matawa chiefs say

Three Matawa First Nations Management chiefs said they'd like to work with the province on northern development, but Bill 132 will steamroll their concerns. ...

Educators encouraged by meeting with government officials on Indigenous curriculum

The Ministry of Education held the June 19 meeting with various stakeholders. ...

Ontario ‘going backwards’ on recommendations in MMIWG report, says First Nations MPP

A Liberal MPP called the report a "call to action" for Ontario. ...

Rickford rolls out changes to northern internship program, offers more details on energy rate reductions

In an address to a major mining conference, Rickford touted changes to a northern internship program designed to make it more accessible. ...

Indigenous community calls for government to reconsider cuts to culture fund

An Anishinaabe teen says access to her culture improved and changed her life. ...

UN International Year of Indigenous Languages, Part 2: Language seen as the heart of Indigenous culture and tradition

Aylan Couchie, 43, has committed to learning Anishinaabemowin, the language of her ancestors. ...

Non-profit organization raises concern over economic impact of Trillium Foundation cut

A spokesperson for Ontario non-profits said the government has cut funding that would have boosted employment and economic development. ...

Office of Ontario’s child advocate contributed to report citing ‘systemic racism’ in Thunder Bay Police Service

Irwin Elman said ‘lived experience’ of youth should help inform how relations between Indigenous communities and police forces can be improved. ...

MPPs mark moment of silence for young Indigenous girl who died by suicide

MPP Sol Mamakwa says Ontario needs a plan that addresses the issue of suicide among Indigenous youth that includes including things such as child and youth mental health services, as well as access to clean water and edu ...

Human rights commissioner calls for ‘urgent action’ on Indigenous, Black overrepresentation in child welfare system

Indigenous and Black children removed from families at more than two times the rate of rest of child population: report. ...

Liberals launch pre-emptive strike on Ford’s impending platform

Premier, finance minister call Doug Ford's plans for northern development and housing 'simplistic,' 'populist.' ...

Government tables bill to overhaul prison system and reform segregation

Legislation marks a 'transformation' following a report last year, the first major review of the correctional system in more than three decades. ...

Premier addresses Gerald Stanley acquittal, says Indigenous people have suffered from Canada’s history

Kathleen Wynne draws on her time on a reserve 40 years ago to illustrate misunderstanding. ...

Ontario outlines major police oversight and transparency reforms

First sweeping police legislation in 27 years would allow officer suspension without pay and establish an inspector general. ...

Environmental Commissioner delivers scathing report on Ontario’s ‘neglect’ of Indigenous communities

Minister of the Environment Chris Ballard denied that the government was slow to respond to Indigenous environmental issues because of institutional racism. ...

First Nations communities weren’t consulted on riding named after them: Chiefs

Liberal MPP says more consultations are coming following outcry, but name-change won't happen for months at least. ...

First Nations activists, union call for stat holiday: National Indigenous Day

A group of activists and allies held a pow wow at Queen's Park as the NDP tabled a private member's bill for a civic holiday. ...

Heard: MPPs debate northern ridings bill, spar over “no man’s land” heckling

PC MPP Randy Hillier says the bill introduced a loophole in the province's cash-for-access fundraising ban. ...

MPP criticizes government inaction on Caledonia blockade

Toby Barrett says the blockade should be removed and local businesses and home owners should be compensated. ...

Province will stand back and let Six Nations, OPP deal with Caledonia blockade, minister says

David Zimmer said Thursday that the issue is an internal one for the people of Six Nations. ...

Province announces deal with three First Nations to build roads into Ring of Fire

Metals-rich area in northern Ontario still two years away from construction, with opposition parties claiming inaction. ...

Feds request more info on how nuclear waste disposal project will impact First Nation

Ontario Power Generation says it won't proceed with the nuclear waste storage facility without the consent of the first nation on whose traditional territory it is planned for. ...

Seen: Anishinabek First Nations sign education self-governance agreements with feds, province

Twenty-three Anishinabek First Nations signed education agreements with the federal and provincial governments Wednesday. ...

Ontario to block public access to records involving First Nations

Critics say the changes to information and privacy law will make it more difficult to hold leaders to account. ...

Indigenous partners laud progress on ending violence against women, but ‘healing is going to take a long time’

The Ontario government provided an update on the steps taken to end violence against indigenous women and girls one year after announcing a long-term strategy. ...

Happening: OIPRD probes how Thunder Bay police handle indigenous deaths, disappearances

"Alarming questions have been raised about the way the Thunder Bay Police Service investigates the disappearances and deaths of Indigenous people," Gerry McNeilly, the Independent Police Review Director said. ...

Most Grassy Narrows residents still show symptoms of mercury poisoning: report

Premier Kathleen Wynne has expressed concerns a clean-up would exacerbate the situation. ...

Tentative deal could lead to provincial framework for all First Nations police officers

A tentative deal inked with the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service this week could be a precursor to a more equitable police service system in Ontario, the police union says. ...

Seen: First Nations police file notice to strike

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Looming police strike overshadows minister’s meeting with First Nations chief

"Aboriginal police services have been doing more with far less than any other police service in this country," says human rights lawyer Julian Falconer. ...

Ontario, First Nations agree to $268M Hydro One share deal

To help make the purchase, Ontario would provide a 25-year, $268-million loan to the First Nations, with interest. ...

Grassy Narrows chief cautiously welcomes government’s ‘baby steps’ on river cleanup

Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister Sr. has seen a shift in political will over the mercury contamination of the English-Wabigoon River System. ...

Ontario apologizes to indigenous communities for ‘heartbreaking’ abuse in wake of TRC report

The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs is also getting a new moniker: the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. ...

Ontario launches First Nations Health Action Plan with suicide prevention funding

Health Minister Eric Hoskins announces an initiative that he says is aimed at ensuring 'everyone in Ontario has access to high-quality, culturally appropriate health care' no matter where they live. ...

Heard: Two Ontario ministers heading to Attawapiskat

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Heard: Sarnia-area First Nation to use Ontario SPCA law

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Heard: Six Nations Polytechnic to give out standalone degrees

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Heard: Ontario spends $900,000 on aboriginal economic development in GTA

Money will fund develop training programs to help First Nations and Aboriginal Peoples fight poverty and improve their economic prospects. ...

Heard: COU launches campaign to get more aboriginals to university

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Seen: Native band signs development deals for its northern reserve

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Discussions underway on First Nations ownership stake in Hydro One

The province has also provided 'capacity funding' for the Chiefs of Ontario to 'hire legal and financial technical assistance so they can grasp a lot of the ins and outs of the IPO' ...

Op-ed: Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business creating business opportunity through innovative programs and relationship building

'There is so much more to aboriginal business – it’s often about family, community and culture,' writes CCAB president and chief executive JP Gladu ...

Category: First Nations