Indigenous

Randy Boissonnault arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Employment Minister Boissonnault announced March 7, 2024 $21 million for Vancouver-based Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society for a skilled trades program. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Vancouver-based Indigenous group gets $21M for skilled trades program

24 projects across the country were selected for more than $170M in federal funding

Randy Boissonnault arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Employment Minister Boissonnault announced March 7, 2024 $21 million for Vancouver-based Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society for a skilled trades program. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Port Alberni’s overdose prevention site serves 200-300 clients daily, said Robyn Hesby, frontline support worker, and Lexi Kossenko, manager. (Alexandra Mehl photo)

Workers on front line of B.C. toxic drug crisis ‘feel every single death’

Building relationships and celebrating success stories makes difficult job worthwhile

  • Feb 27, 2024
Port Alberni’s overdose prevention site serves 200-300 clients daily, said Robyn Hesby, frontline support worker, and Lexi Kossenko, manager. (Alexandra Mehl photo)
A village councillor in P.E.I. is seeking a court order to quash sanctions imposed on him after he displayed a sign on his property denying the existence of unmarked graves at former residential schools. Prince Edward Island’s provincial flag flies on a flagpole in Ottawa, Monday, July 6, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

P.E.I. councillor sanctioned over anti-Indigenous sign seeks judicial review

Coun. John Robertson fined and suspended after claiming unmarked graves were a hoax

A village councillor in P.E.I. is seeking a court order to quash sanctions imposed on him after he displayed a sign on his property denying the existence of unmarked graves at former residential schools. Prince Edward Island’s provincial flag flies on a flagpole in Ottawa, Monday, July 6, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The Lhtako Dene Nation celebrated by BC Winter Games by inviting all athletes, coaches, and volunteers to a party at their new arbour. (Jordy Cunningham/Black Press Media)

A celebration of games and partnership at the Lhtako Dene First Nation

Athletes enjoyed games and snacks at a celebration at the new Lhtako Dene arbour

The Lhtako Dene Nation celebrated by BC Winter Games by inviting all athletes, coaches, and volunteers to a party at their new arbour. (Jordy Cunningham/Black Press Media)
Indigenous leaders in British Columbia say opposition political leaders derailed a plan that would have cleared the way for shared decision-making between the province and First Nations about the use of public land in their territories. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, says they are "disgusted" that the leaders of BC United and the B.C. Conservatives "leveraged" the province's plan "as a shameless opportunity for partisan political gain." Phillip speaks during a news conference in Vancouver, on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

‘Disgusted’ First Nations say Land Act talks hijacked by B.C. politics

First Nations Leadership Council ‘extremely disappointed’ with the decision to pause proposed changes

Indigenous leaders in British Columbia say opposition political leaders derailed a plan that would have cleared the way for shared decision-making between the province and First Nations about the use of public land in their territories. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, says they are "disgusted" that the leaders of BC United and the B.C. Conservatives "leveraged" the province's plan "as a shameless opportunity for partisan political gain." Phillip speaks during a news conference in Vancouver, on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Malahat Nation partners with Vancouver-based Energy Plug to build Canada’s first Indigenous-led gigafactory and largest battery manufacturing plant. It will be completed sometime in 2025, creating more than 100 jobs locally. (Courtesy of Malahat First Nation website)

B.C. First Nation partners to build Canada’s biggest battery factory

Vancouver Island project expected to break ground in less than 90 days, create over 100 local jobs

Malahat Nation partners with Vancouver-based Energy Plug to build Canada’s first Indigenous-led gigafactory and largest battery manufacturing plant. It will be completed sometime in 2025, creating more than 100 jobs locally. (Courtesy of Malahat First Nation website)
The story of the Indigenous Youth Mountain Bike Program is showcased in the B.C. documentary Dirt Relations. iymbp.ca photo

Indigenous youth mountain biking film blazes trail to Vancouver festival

Documentary focuses on B.C. mountain biking program for Indigenous youth

  • Feb 15, 2024
The story of the Indigenous Youth Mountain Bike Program is showcased in the B.C. documentary Dirt Relations. iymbp.ca photo
The gold-plated coin was released in 2023 by the Royal Mint. (Morgan Asoyuf)

‘Celestial Circle’ collectible coin designed by renowned Ts’msyen artist

Ts’msyen artist Morgan Asoyuf speaks about her Celestial Circle coin now on sale from the Royal Mint

The gold-plated coin was released in 2023 by the Royal Mint. (Morgan Asoyuf)
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled today on the constitutionality of Bill C-92, An Act Respecting First Nations, Métis and Inuit Children Youth and Families, which became law in June 2019. The Supreme Court of Canada is pictured at sunset in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Top court upholds Indigenous right to sole authority over child protection

Canada’s supreme court upholds law that gave First Nations jurisdiction over family services

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled today on the constitutionality of Bill C-92, An Act Respecting First Nations, Métis and Inuit Children Youth and Families, which became law in June 2019. The Supreme Court of Canada is pictured at sunset in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is pledging to fix the access-to-information system to speed up response times and release more information. Poilievre arrives to a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Poilievre touts new industry tax as a path forward for Canada’s First Nations

Conservative leader also pledges to fix broken access-to-information system, release more faster

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is pledging to fix the access-to-information system to speed up response times and release more information. Poilievre arrives to a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A missing persons poster from April 2020 for April Parisian in front of Hope's district hall. (Emelie Peacock/Hope Standard)

Bringing April home: B.C. family’s search for missing sister continues

Even after false alarm discovery of a body, April Parisian’s family says they haven’t given up

A missing persons poster from April 2020 for April Parisian in front of Hope's district hall. (Emelie Peacock/Hope Standard)
Cambria Harris, daughter of Morgan Harris, speaks during a rally on Parliament Hill on an International Day of Action to Search the Landfills, in Ottawa, on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. The remains of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran and another woman named as Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, killed by an alleged serial killer, are believed to be in a landfill north of Winnipeg. The proposed search could cost $90 million, a new report says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Report details cost estimates, risks of proposed Manitoba landfill search

The 153-page report was prepared by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and ISN Maskwa

Cambria Harris, daughter of Morgan Harris, speaks during a rally on Parliament Hill on an International Day of Action to Search the Landfills, in Ottawa, on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. The remains of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran and another woman named as Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, killed by an alleged serial killer, are believed to be in a landfill north of Winnipeg. The proposed search could cost $90 million, a new report says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
TELUS original documentary The Lake is available to watch online. (Contributed/TELUS Originals)

B.C.-filmed documentary decolonizes Canadian opera with Indigenous voice

‘The Lakes’ features Westbank First Nations elder Delphine Derickson

  • Jan 10, 2024
TELUS original documentary The Lake is available to watch online. (Contributed/TELUS Originals)
<div>An advocacy group for First Nations families will present arguments to the Human Rights Tribunal Friday that Canada isn’t living up to its promise of timely access to health care for Indigenous children. Child welfare advocate Cindy Blackstock is recognized by the Speaker of the House of Commons, along with her fellow recipients of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada 2022 Impact Award, after Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang</div>

Canada failing to provide timely health care to Indigenous kids: advocates

Group to argue before Human Rights Tribunal about the failure to implement Jordan’s Principle

<div>An advocacy group for First Nations families will present arguments to the Human Rights Tribunal Friday that Canada isn’t living up to its promise of timely access to health care for Indigenous children. Child welfare advocate Cindy Blackstock is recognized by the Speaker of the House of Commons, along with her fellow recipients of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada 2022 Impact Award, after Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang</div>
One of the many signs calling for justice and change at a walk for Roxanne Louie, who was murdered in 2015. Her murderer was recently granted day parole, to the frustration and anger of Louie’s family and the Indigenous communities of the South Okanagan. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

‘Enough is enough’: Okanagan Indigenous community push back on murderer’s parole

Grace Robotti received day parole seven years into her life sentence

One of the many signs calling for justice and change at a walk for Roxanne Louie, who was murdered in 2015. Her murderer was recently granted day parole, to the frustration and anger of Louie’s family and the Indigenous communities of the South Okanagan. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
The work of the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary is the subject of a new documentary series on APTN starting this month. Photo by Kwassen Productions

Ocean Warriors patrol B.C. as Canada’s only Indigenous Coast Guard

Vancouver Island filmmaker shines spotlight on Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary in ‘Mision Ready’

  • Jan 5, 2024
The work of the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary is the subject of a new documentary series on APTN starting this month. Photo by Kwassen Productions
Grace Elinor Robotti (at right) led from the Penticton courthouse by a sheriff in 2015 following her appearance. Penticton Western News file photo

Anger after day parole for Penticton woman who killed great-grandson’s mom

Grace Robotti killed Roxanne Louie and was given a life sentence but now has day parole

Grace Elinor Robotti (at right) led from the Penticton courthouse by a sheriff in 2015 following her appearance. Penticton Western News file photo
Syilx Language House executive director Michele Johnson organized the book launch event. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Efforts to preserve Syilx language reach new chapter in Vernon

A trio of Syilx Elders spoke at a book launch in Vernon, introducing the ninth edition of Elder recordings

Syilx Language House executive director Michele Johnson organized the book launch event. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Community performance at Brunswick Point, detailed in Amy-Claire Huestis’s ‘walk quietly’ multimedia resource. (Kwantlen Polytechnic University (<em>supplied photo)</em>

KPU scientists and First Nations shed light on Fraser Estuary

Diverse groups collaborate to emphasize the significance of biodiversity in the Fraser Estuary

Community performance at Brunswick Point, detailed in Amy-Claire Huestis’s ‘walk quietly’ multimedia resource. (Kwantlen Polytechnic University (<em>supplied photo)</em>
Shane Douglas (left), teacher at Seabird Island Community School, and Isadore Charters stand by the bookshelf that was modified and repainted by Douglas’s class. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Refurbished bookshelf doubles as reconciliation project in Chilliwack

Agassiz students paint Halq’eméylem words with English translations on Rotary bookshelf

Shane Douglas (left), teacher at Seabird Island Community School, and Isadore Charters stand by the bookshelf that was modified and repainted by Douglas’s class. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)