Indigenous

Danikka Murphy stands in her classroom at École Nesika Elementary where she teaches Secwepemctsín to students. Nov. 2023. (Kim Kimberlin photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

B.C. TikTok teacher says learning her traditional language saved her life

Williams Lake’s Danikka Murphy uses social media to teach Secwepemctsín language

Danikka Murphy stands in her classroom at École Nesika Elementary where she teaches Secwepemctsín to students. Nov. 2023. (Kim Kimberlin photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Full-body forensic reconstruction of a woolly dog based on a 160-year-old pelt in the Smithsonian’s collection as well as archaeological remains is shown in this handout image. For thousands of years, a breed of white woolly dog played an important and cultural role for Coast Salish people in Western Canada, but when colonists moved in the animal quickly became extinct, a new study says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Karen Carr

Colonialism wiped out B.C.’s Coast Salish woolly dog: study

Decline of carefully bred, pampered animals through the 19th century isn’t fully understood

Full-body forensic reconstruction of a woolly dog based on a 160-year-old pelt in the Smithsonian’s collection as well as archaeological remains is shown in this handout image. For thousands of years, a breed of white woolly dog played an important and cultural role for Coast Salish people in Western Canada, but when colonists moved in the animal quickly became extinct, a new study says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Karen Carr
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu is expected to table much-anticipated legislation to improve water quality in First Nations communities today. Hajdu rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Feds introduce new bill covering Indigenous water access and use

Hajdu tables Liberal government’s long-anticipated First Nations water legislation

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu is expected to table much-anticipated legislation to improve water quality in First Nations communities today. Hajdu rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Cindy Woodhouse, left, interim national chief Joanna Bernard, second left, and David Pratt, centre, walk towards the main stage during the third day of National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations during the third day of the Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa, on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Woodhouse is the new national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Woodhouse steps into AFN national chief role with a plea and a warning

Six candidates were vying to be national chief, including David Pratt who conceded after 6 rounds

Cindy Woodhouse, left, interim national chief Joanna Bernard, second left, and David Pratt, centre, walk towards the main stage during the third day of National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations during the third day of the Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa, on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Woodhouse is the new national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Candidate Cindy Woodhouse speaks during the All Candidates Forum on the first day of the annual Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Cindy Woodhouse to be AFN national chief after David Pratt concedes

Voting spilled over into Thursday with leader still shy of necessary percentage

Candidate Cindy Woodhouse speaks during the All Candidates Forum on the first day of the annual Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Chelsey Quaw (Heron) went missing from Saik’uz First Nation Oct. 11, 2023. (Photo submitted)

Police watchdog probes death of B.C. Indigenous woman near Vanderhoof

Chelsey Quaw-Heron’s body was located one kilometre from where she was reported missing

Chelsey Quaw (Heron) went missing from Saik’uz First Nation Oct. 11, 2023. (Photo submitted)
By mid October the road to Nitinat Lake was flooded by heavy rain (pictured), but the atmospheric river event in early December is heightening the need for a better land passage to the community. (Brian Tate photo)

Atmospheric river renews calls for a real road into remote B.C. community

Road floods multiple times every winter disrupting access to Vancouver Island’s Nitinat lake

  • Dec 6, 2023
By mid October the road to Nitinat Lake was flooded by heavy rain (pictured), but the atmospheric river event in early December is heightening the need for a better land passage to the community. (Brian Tate photo)
Elder Mary Ann Thomas and Charlie George, of the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Centres, welcome the new Indigenous signage unveiled on the grounds of the B.C. legislature, once the site of an Indigenous village, in Victoria on Wednesday Nov. 29, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner

B.C.’s ‘largest symbol of colonialism’ now lined with Indigenous signage

Signs in region’s Lekwungen language unveiled as legislature aims to be more welcoming and inclusive

Elder Mary Ann Thomas and Charlie George, of the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Centres, welcome the new Indigenous signage unveiled on the grounds of the B.C. legislature, once the site of an Indigenous village, in Victoria on Wednesday Nov. 29, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner
Award-winning singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie poses for a photograph on the red carpet for the 2022 Canada’s Walk of Fame Gala in Toronto, on Saturday, Dec.3, 2022. Sainte-Marie is pushing back on a report that questions her Indigenous heritage, maintaining she has never lied about her identity.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

Buffy Sainte-Marie calls report questioning Indigenous ancestry an attack

‘This is my life – I am not a piece of paper’

Award-winning singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie poses for a photograph on the red carpet for the 2022 Canada’s Walk of Fame Gala in Toronto, on Saturday, Dec.3, 2022. Sainte-Marie is pushing back on a report that questions her Indigenous heritage, maintaining she has never lied about her identity.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin
Teara Fraser, commercial pilot and owner of Iskwew Air, poses in front of her plane on the tarmac at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Tuesday, September 29, 2020.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Indigenomics seeks to double $49M economic impact of Canada’s First Nations

‘Not only are we still here, we’re resilient, we’re powerful and we are ready to do business’

Teara Fraser, commercial pilot and owner of Iskwew Air, poses in front of her plane on the tarmac at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Tuesday, September 29, 2020.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The federal government has launched a $10-million program to directly supporting small businesses involved in Indigenous tourism across Canada. Unofficially named “The First Sidewalk” a 700-foot walking trail system to promote ecotourism is seen in Bella Bella, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

First Nations decisions on tourism on Indigenous land must be respected: Minister

Martinez Ferrada was in Vancouver announcing the launch of a $10M program

The federal government has launched a $10-million program to directly supporting small businesses involved in Indigenous tourism across Canada. Unofficially named “The First Sidewalk” a 700-foot walking trail system to promote ecotourism is seen in Bella Bella, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The federal government has launched a $10-million program to directly supporting small businesses involved in Indigenous tourism across Canada. Unofficially named “The First Sidewalk” a 700-foot walking trail system to promote ecotourism is seen in Bella Bella, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Feds in B.C. to pump $10M into Indigenous tourism small business

Funding will also help the Indigenous Tourism Association promote an accreditation program

The federal government has launched a $10-million program to directly supporting small businesses involved in Indigenous tourism across Canada. Unofficially named “The First Sidewalk” a 700-foot walking trail system to promote ecotourism is seen in Bella Bella, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
BC Hydro’s Skeena Substation south of Terrace would be a key part of a plan to send more power to the northwest. (File photo)

Northwest B.C. First Nations plug in to power line equity and opportunity

Massive energy needs being predicted to fuel green economy

BC Hydro’s Skeena Substation south of Terrace would be a key part of a plan to send more power to the northwest. (File photo)
Wendy Jocko, a retired sergeant, is photoghed with her son James McMullin, 38, a veteran with The Royal Canadian Regiment, who died in October. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, which is Indigenous Veterans Day, in Pikwakanagan, Ont. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Canadian Indigenous soldiers share reasons why they serve

Trio tell their stories as Nov. 8 marks National Aboriginal Veterans Day

Wendy Jocko, a retired sergeant, is photoghed with her son James McMullin, 38, a veteran with The Royal Canadian Regiment, who died in October. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, which is Indigenous Veterans Day, in Pikwakanagan, Ont. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
FILE -Russell Eagle Bear, with the Rosebud Sioux Reservation Tribal Council, talks to U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland during a meeting about Native American boarding schools at Sinte Gleska University in Mission, S.D., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Haaland plans to be in Bozeman, Mont. Sunday to wrap up her nationwide tour confronting the legacy of the institutions where students were often abused. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

Survivors say trauma from abusive Native American boarding schools continues

An report released by the Interior Department identified 408 government-backed schools in 37 states

FILE -Russell Eagle Bear, with the Rosebud Sioux Reservation Tribal Council, talks to U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland during a meeting about Native American boarding schools at Sinte Gleska University in Mission, S.D., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Haaland plans to be in Bozeman, Mont. Sunday to wrap up her nationwide tour confronting the legacy of the institutions where students were often abused. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
Singer Buffy Sainte-Marie smiles as she accepts the Hall of Fame award at the Juno Awards ceremony in Hamilton on Sunday, March 26, 1995. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Gardner

‘Duped’: Indigenous musicians upset over Buffy Sainte-Marie ancestry story

Disappointment among many as doubts raised about singer’s Indigenous heritage claims

Singer Buffy Sainte-Marie smiles as she accepts the Hall of Fame award at the Juno Awards ceremony in Hamilton on Sunday, March 26, 1995. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Gardner
Correctional Investigator of Canada, Dr. Ivan Zinger, delivers remarks at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Canadian prisons ‘disturbingly and unconscionably Indigenized’: corrections watchdog

About 3% of the correctional service’s annual budget goes to supporting healing lodges: Report

Correctional Investigator of Canada, Dr. Ivan Zinger, delivers remarks at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
First Nations Health Authority acting chief medical officer Dr. Nel Wieman was consulted on the BC Coroner Service’s recent death review panel report on the toxic drug crisis that was released Nov. 1, 2023. Wieman speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

First Nations grappling with toxic drug crisis need own solutions: B.C. doctor

First Nations Health Authority rep says safer supply engagement lacking in First Nations communities

First Nations Health Authority acting chief medical officer Dr. Nel Wieman was consulted on the BC Coroner Service’s recent death review panel report on the toxic drug crisis that was released Nov. 1, 2023. Wieman speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Buffy Sainte-Marie opens the Juno Awards show on Sunday April 2, 2017 in Ottawa. The Indigenous Women’s Collective is calling for Sainte-Marie to lose her 2018 Juno Award for “Indigenous Album of the Year,” after a CBC story cast doubt on the singer’s ancestry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Group wants Buffy Sainte-Marie to lose 2018 Juno over ancestry doubts

The Junos did not respond to a request for comment

Buffy Sainte-Marie opens the Juno Awards show on Sunday April 2, 2017 in Ottawa. The Indigenous Women’s Collective is calling for Sainte-Marie to lose her 2018 Juno Award for “Indigenous Album of the Year,” after a CBC story cast doubt on the singer’s ancestry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A memorial was set up for Jared Lowndes at the Campbell River Tim Hortons where the incident took place. Photo by Marc Kitteringham / Campbell River Mirror

Crown given probe suggesting 3 RCMP officers be charged in B.C. man’s death

Independent report done into death of Jared Lowndes in parking lot of a Campbell River Tim Hortons

  • Oct 27, 2023
A memorial was set up for Jared Lowndes at the Campbell River Tim Hortons where the incident took place. Photo by Marc Kitteringham / Campbell River Mirror