This week in Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences

Niigaan Sinclair:

Taglines aside, First Nations investment could nearly double Canada’s economy

Canada’s Indigenous services minister had a startling response in explaining why First Nations infrastructure projects, such as nursing stations and broadband internet, don’t qualify as “projects of the national interest.” Read More

Carol Sanders:

Minister to meet with Peguis chief over his call to scrap Indigenous-controlled child-welfare model

The chief of Peguis First Nation will meet with Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine after calling for the province to scrap an agreement that’s been touted as the model for decolonizing child wel... Read More

Malak Abas:

Indigenous team operating mobile addictions-treatment clinic for Island Lake-area First Nations

A three-person team of Indigenous health care professionals is leading a new mobile addictions clinic meant to reach struggling people in remote northern reserves. A clinic on Ellice Avenue near the a... Read More

Scott Billeck:

Indigenous-led safety program hailed as model for Winnipeg spaces

The city’s manager of library services hopes a new report that highlights the success of an Indigenous-led alternative to conventional security services will convince decision-makers to expand the pro... Read More

Nicole Buffie:

‘I worry that something terrible will happen’

Peguis chief calls for termination of once-praised homegrown CFS agency Read More

Nicole Buffie:

Mattresses, furniture, clothing donations make way to Leaf Rapids

Bid to replace mouldy belongings after two-month evacuation Read More

Dan Lett:

Hunters largely pass on expanded moose hunt in Manitoba

In the ongoing battle over the fate of Manitoba’s moose population, hunters appear to have had the final say. Read More

Tom Brodbeck:

Attacks on Indigenous cabinet ministers’ offices a threat to democracy

Manitobans should be deeply troubled by the escalating pattern of violence, vandalism, and arson directed at the constituency offices of two provincial cabinet ministers, Nahanni Fontaine and Bernadette Smith. Read More

Doug Lauvstad:

Manitoba’s booming North

Big things are ahead for northern Manitoba. Political leaders at every level are focused on unlocking the North’s tremendous potential, and what sets this moment apart is the scale — which comes with... Read More

Jerry Storie:

The case for restarting the Conawapa hydro project

The government’s apparent reluctance to proceed with the next planned hydro development project on the Nelson River, Conawapa, is perplexing. Read More

Harold Calla:

Indigenous participation vital in Canada’s economic shift

Canada is at an inflection point. The job facing the federal government, the provinces, and the private sector is to urgently restructure Canada’s economy — a need driven by new tariffs and ongoing ta... Read More

AV Kitching:

Passion for Indigenous fashion

Designer taps traditional techniques to preserve Métis culture Read More

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press:

Smith’s plan threatens ‘fragile’ consensus over development of B.C. coast: Eby

VICTORIA – Premier David Eby says a pipeline plan across northern B.C. by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith threatens community support and social licence that would allow other major projects alon... Read More

Steven Grattan, The Associated Press:

Gold demand puts Peru’s Amazon at greater risk from mercury poisoning, bishop warns

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — As gold prices hover at record highs, a leading Catholic leader in Peru’s Amazon is urging countries that are destinations for the precious metal to help stem illegal mining th... Read More

Thalia Beaty, The Associated Press:

Meet the 22 artists, scientists and authors who will each get $800,000 MacArthur genius grants

A political scientist who studies what helps people connect across differences. A novelist whose books about Native American communities in Oakland, California, sparked a passionate following. A photo... Read More

Miriam Lafontaine, The Canadian Press:

Montrealers gather to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls

MONTREAL – Shirley Pien spends a lot of time in Cabot Square, a park in downtown Montreal where many homeless people gather.  The woman works as health navigator for an Indigenous-led health cli... Read More

Matthew Daly, The Associated Press:

Trump approves Alaska mining road to boost copper, zinc production

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday ordered approval of a proposed 211-mile road through an Alaska wilderness to allow mining of copper, cobalt, gold and other minerals. The long-debate... Read More

Anselm Gibbs, The Associated Press:

Fishermen in Trinidad and Tobago fear for their lives and jobs after US strikes in the Caribbean

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — On a recent afternoon, Kenrick Modie finished untangling his fishing net in a quiet Caribbean village. As he slipped into a hammock at his home overlooking the sea, he w... Read More

Calvin Woodward, The Associated Press:

At America’s national parks in the Trump era, the arc of history bends toward revisionism

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. (AP) — By the roiling rapids of converging rivers, President Donald Trump’s campaign to have the government tell a happier story of American history confronts its toughest c... Read More

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press:

Indigenous Peoples grapple with claims downplaying the history of residential schools

OTTAWA – As Indigenous Peoples marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this week, they also had to confront a persistent problem: public figures claiming the history of residential... Read More

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press:

B.C. Conservative staffer fired for calling Reconciliation Day flag a ‘disgrace’

VICTORIA – A former spokesperson for the Conservative Party of British Columbia says she has been fired over a social media post in which she called the raising of a flag honouring survivors of... Read More

Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press:

Alberta ‘on notice’ Coastal B.C. nations opposed to pipeline proposal

The head of a group representing First Nations along British Columbia’s coast says they will not support a new pipeline proposed by Alberta and nothing can be done to change that.  Marilyn Slett... Read More

The Canadian Press:

First Nations group questions audit that found $34M in questionable spending

SASKATOON – An advocacy group representing First Nations in Saskatchewan is firing back after a forensic audit found more than $34 million in questionable, unsupported or ineligible spending ove... Read More

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press:

Through tears, residential school survivors share their stories on Parliament Hill

OTTAWA – Eugene Arcand fought back tears as he stood in front a row of flags in bright October sunshine on Parliament Hill, holding up a photo of his residential school classmates. “There... Read More

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press:

Almost half of Canadians say they have seen systemic racism in their province: poll

OTTAWA – Almost half of Canadians polled say they have observed evidence of systemic racism in their province, a new survey suggests. The Leger poll of 1,627 people, conducted between Aug. 29 an... Read More