FIVE STORIES ON TURTLE ISLAND
1. It’s hard not to notice all the sudden global interest in Canadian wildfires, with smoke threatening even the World Cup final.
U.S. President Trump has threatened Canada with tariffs if something is not done to address the onslaught of wildfire smoke gripping much of the continent.
What is considered a nuisance in New York, though, is a life-and-death situation for First Nations in northern Ontario.
But when sports are involved, suddenly people want to do something about wildfires, as seen at the Tour de France this week. With media giants such as The New York Times now publishing maps tracking how wildfire smoke travels throughout North America can some politician, government or anyone do anything about what is becoming a predictable annual climate-related crisis?
2. Amid his lowest approval ratings in history, a disastrous war against Iran, and polling suggesting the Republican Party is going to lose the midterm elections in just under 100 days, U.S. President Donald Trump is doubling down on attacks on Native Americans.
First, on July 13, Trump drastically slashed protections for two of the most iconic sacred places in Indian Country: Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments — spaces long regarded as sacred by the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni, Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
Then, on July 23 while at a political rally in Atlanta, Ga., Trump encouraged his supporters to do the offensive “tomahawk chop.”
Then, the next day on July 24, Trump ordered the installation of signs in front of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History telling visitors some of the exhibits are inaccurate, following up a report released earlier this month claiming stories about Native Americans’ contributions are overstated and the narrative of the U.S. residing on “stolen land” is false.
3. The art world has been rocked by the discovery of “fake” Indigenous art which has filled art galleries, collections and homes of private owners, specifically copies of art by famed and late Anishinaabe painter Norval Morrisseau.
For years, art galleries and collectors have made Morrisseau paintings anchors in their collections, but now they are making some shocking discoveries. Following years of allegations and eventually police investigations resulting in charges against eight people (and even allegations of forced child labour), experts now estimate criminal rings produced between 4,500 and 6,000 fake Morrisseau paintings, with total estimates of counterfeits reaching upwards of 10,000 pieces spread throughout the world in what has been called the “biggest art fraud in world history.”
4. A fascinating meeting took place this past week in Saskatchewan between elders from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation and Tibetan monks.
Participating together in ceremonies from each culture, the two sets of knowledge keepers investigated shared beliefs and stories while talking about how to heal their communities and issues such as the environment.
Most fascinating of all was since many of the participants did not speak one another’s language, ceremonies were held primarily using movement or in silence.
5. Manitoba was dethroned this past week at the 3rd annual Miss Indigenous Canada competition.
Manitoba has won both years of the contest (in 2024 Jessica McKenzie from Opaskwayak Cree Nation took home the prize, and in 2025, Gena Boubard from Sagkeeng Anicinaabe Nation was victorious), but this year the crown went to Brooke Metchwais from Cold Lake First Nation in Alberta.
Featuring twenty First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women and two-spirit people across Canada between the ages of 18 and 30, contestants competed through an essay competition, an interview, a cultural presentation and evidence of community work in the Six Nations of the Grand River.
IN PICTURES
A dancer during the grand entrance of the powwow at Anishinaabe Days on Sunday. (John Woods / Free Press)
RECONCILI-ACTION OF THE WEEK
Every week I highlight an action, moment, or milestone forwarding reconciliation, illustrating how far Canada has come — and how far the country has yet to go.
The reconciliaction of the week is a tribute to my University of Manitoba colleague Karen Busby, who died July 23 after a fierce 15-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Busby was a human-rights advocate, a professor of law, and co-founded the Centre for Human Rights Research at the University of Manitoba. In addition to fighting for LGBTTQ+ rights, victims of sexual assault, and being an award-winning teacher and researcher, Busby worked hard to support residential school survivors, Indigenous artists, and to argue for safe drinking water on First Nations.
I first met Karen during her work with my father on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and later witnessed her work assisting in the building of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
Karen was a very special thinker, advocate and human being. The world is a better place because of Karen Busby.
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