First Nations

Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Williams Lake First Nation chief calls B.C. reconciliation award ‘special’

Willie Sellars one of a handful to be honoured for their efforts in a Jan. 18 ceremony in Victoria

 

Chief Dolleen Logan of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation welcomes provincial funding of just over $675,000 to help plan a regional youth centre. Premier David Eby announced the support Tuesday in Prince George. (Screencap)

Support given to youth mental health and addictions centre for northern B.C.

Facility proposed by First Nation gets just over $675,000, opening date, location up in the air

 

Mitzi Dean will no longer serve as Child and Family Development Minister following a cabinet shuffle announced Monday morning. Fellow Victoria MLA Grace Lore will take Dean’s job, while Dean will take over Lore’s old job as minister of state for child care. Andrew Mercier remains in cabinet but with the new title of minister of state for sustainable forestry while George Chow joins cabinet as parliamentary secretary for international credentials. (Screecap)

Mitzi Dean out as B.C.’s child care, children and family development minister

Dean remains minister of state for child care after facing multiple calls for her resignation

 

Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter Tori-Anne Tweedie look on during the uplifting ceremony for Johnson and his family at the Big House in Bella Bella, B.C., on October 24, 2022. The day was meant to be an apology ceremony for the two, but that was cancelled after two Vancouver Police Department officers never showed up. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Heiltsuk man, granddaughter still await full apology from Vancouver officers

Pair ‘recklessly’ arrested in 2019 at Vancouver bank, officers didn’t attend apology ceremony

Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter Tori-Anne Tweedie look on during the uplifting ceremony for Johnson and his family at the Big House in Bella Bella, B.C., on October 24, 2022. The day was meant to be an apology ceremony for the two, but that was cancelled after two Vancouver Police Department officers never showed up. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Chiefs Paddy Walkus, Willie Walkus, and David Nolie stand by the carvings and regalia. (Submitted photo)

Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw: Bringing home the treasures of our ancestors

The treasures include 17 exquisitely carved Hamatsa masks and other regalia and sacred items

Chiefs Paddy Walkus, Willie Walkus, and David Nolie stand by the carvings and regalia. (Submitted photo)
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu is expected to table much-anticipated legislation to improve water quality in First Nations communities as early as Monday. Hajdu is shown at her office in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Indigenous services minister to table First Nations water bill

Bill to attempt to tackle clean drinking water problem, after numerous government failings

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu is expected to table much-anticipated legislation to improve water quality in First Nations communities as early as Monday. Hajdu is shown at her office in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Mikala Wheeler (left) diligently prepares data sheets as Simon George converses with fellow team members just moments before the two suit up in their dry suits for a day of snorkelling to monitor the salmon population present in the Theodosia River. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

Comox Valley environmental consultant provides DFO with invaluable data

Mikala Wheeler led a team of four members in surveying the salmon population of the Theodosia River

Mikala Wheeler (left) diligently prepares data sheets as Simon George converses with fellow team members just moments before the two suit up in their dry suits for a day of snorkelling to monitor the salmon population present in the Theodosia River. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
The Qualicum First Nation celebrates the recognition of pentl’ach as the 35th First Nations language in British Columbia. The team working on developing their traditional pentl’ach language, from left, Chief Michael Recalma, Mathew Andreatta, Lisa Recalma, Bill Recalma, Sarah Quinn, Tracie Finstad, Su Urbanczyk and Jessie Recalma. (Michael Briones photo)

Qualicum First Nation celebrates reawakening of heritage language

Pentl’ach recognized as 35th First Nations language in B.C.

The Qualicum First Nation celebrates the recognition of pentl’ach as the 35th First Nations language in British Columbia. The team working on developing their traditional pentl’ach language, from left, Chief Michael Recalma, Mathew Andreatta, Lisa Recalma, Bill Recalma, Sarah Quinn, Tracie Finstad, Su Urbanczyk and Jessie Recalma. (Michael Briones photo)
Spawning sockeye salmon are seen making their way up the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park near Chase, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. First Nations groups in the Canadian side of the Columbia River Basin are adamant that salmon runs that have long been blocked by U.S. dams must be restored, potentially in a renewed river treaty between Canada and the United States. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

First Nations seek salmon return to Columbia Basin in new treaty with U.S.

Experts say possible solutions are costly and limited, though

Spawning sockeye salmon are seen making their way up the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park near Chase, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. First Nations groups in the Canadian side of the Columbia River Basin are adamant that salmon runs that have long been blocked by U.S. dams must be restored, potentially in a renewed river treaty between Canada and the United States. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Terry Teegee, regional Chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations speaks at a meeting between Canada’s premiers and Indigenous leaders at the Songhees Wellness Centre on July 1, 2022. The BC Assembly of First Nations is calling for a desperate and urgent transformation of the federal correctional system. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

B.C. First Nations call for desperate, urgent changes to Canada’s corrections system

Indigenous women account for half the total female federal inmate population

Terry Teegee, regional Chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations speaks at a meeting between Canada’s premiers and Indigenous leaders at the Songhees Wellness Centre on July 1, 2022. The BC Assembly of First Nations is calling for a desperate and urgent transformation of the federal correctional system. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Feds promise $500M to ‘fast track’ old-growth, habitat protection work in B.C.

The announcement was made at a gathering of First Nations leaders in Vancouver

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
First Nations Summit Political Executive Robert Phillips says it is time for the provincial government to share the law-making pen with First Nations during the opening of the eighth meeting of the provincial cabinet and First Nations Leaders Council as part of a two-day event bringing together 1,000 delegates representing 193 First Nations and organizations. (Screencap)

First Nations leaders call on B.C. to truly share the law-making pen

Robert Phillips of First Nations Summit Political Executive says bureaucracy stands in way

First Nations Summit Political Executive Robert Phillips says it is time for the provincial government to share the law-making pen with First Nations during the opening of the eighth meeting of the provincial cabinet and First Nations Leaders Council as part of a two-day event bringing together 1,000 delegates representing 193 First Nations and organizations. (Screencap)
Forests Minister Bruce Ralston says new legislation tabled Monday (Oct. 30) promises to improve forest management, but others are still reviewing the legislation, while UBC forestry professor (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Forest permits, penalties, prescribed burns targeted in new B.C. legislation

Proposed changes get tentative approval from industry voice

Forests Minister Bruce Ralston says new legislation tabled Monday (Oct. 30) promises to improve forest management, but others are still reviewing the legislation, while UBC forestry professor (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Negotiations between K’ómoks First Nation, B.C. and Canada are coming to a close, and the public is invited to attend in-person and virtual open houses. File photo

‘Action4Canada is not welcome in K’ómoks Territory’: Elected Chief and council

K’ómoks First Nation responds to local churches hosting Action4Canada founder

Negotiations between K’ómoks First Nation, B.C. and Canada are coming to a close, and the public is invited to attend in-person and virtual open houses. File photo
McLeod Lake Indian Band Chief Harley Chingee, Premier David Eby and Energy Minister Josie Osborne were among the participants in a ceremony Wednesday as the province and the First Nation signed a memorandum of understanding for a $7 billion proposed Tse’khene energy transition hub. (Government of B.C./Flickr)

$7B B.C. energy hub would tap into controversial natural gas pipeline

Proposed Tse’khene energy transition hub in Northwest B.C. includes hydrogen, natural gas components

McLeod Lake Indian Band Chief Harley Chingee, Premier David Eby and Energy Minister Josie Osborne were among the participants in a ceremony Wednesday as the province and the First Nation signed a memorandum of understanding for a $7 billion proposed Tse’khene energy transition hub. (Government of B.C./Flickr)
Nanwakolas Council President Dallas Smith says a partnership agreement between four First Nations on Vancouver Island and one of the largest forest companies in British Columbia proves that Reconciliation can benefit everybody. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

4 B.C. First Nations, forest company strike ‘landmark’ $36M deal

Eby says First Nations across B.C. will watch Vancouver Island deal with Western Forest Products

Nanwakolas Council President Dallas Smith says a partnership agreement between four First Nations on Vancouver Island and one of the largest forest companies in British Columbia proves that Reconciliation can benefit everybody. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Marcia Turner (left) and Erin Brillon, accompanied by her husband, Andy Everson, have each been awarded the distinction of Business of the Year for their respective ventures at the 2023 Indigenous Business Awards. (Photo courtesy of BC Achievement Foundation).

Two Comox Valley businesses earn Indigenous Business Awards

Comox’s Marcia Turner, Courtenay’s Erin Brillon among those honoured

Marcia Turner (left) and Erin Brillon, accompanied by her husband, Andy Everson, have each been awarded the distinction of Business of the Year for their respective ventures at the 2023 Indigenous Business Awards. (Photo courtesy of BC Achievement Foundation).
After a long journey starting from Port Hardy in June, the Indian Residential School Memorial Monument, created by artist Stanley C. Hunt, has arrived at the Canadian Museum of History. (Canadian Museum of History Facebook photo)

Monument for residential school children arrives at Canadian Museum of History

‘This powerful memorial is a tangible reminder of events from our shared past’

After a long journey starting from Port Hardy in June, the Indian Residential School Memorial Monument, created by artist Stanley C. Hunt, has arrived at the Canadian Museum of History. (Canadian Museum of History Facebook photo)
Statistics Canada building and signs are pictured in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 3, 2019. Status First Nations people in Canada have seen some improvement in several key aspects of daily life, Statistics Canada has found, citing gains in areas ranging from household income levels to internet access. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

High school completion, income increasing for First Nations peoples: StatCan

Agency also noted a jump in the number of Indigenous communities with access to high-speed internet

Statistics Canada building and signs are pictured in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 3, 2019. Status First Nations people in Canada have seen some improvement in several key aspects of daily life, Statistics Canada has found, citing gains in areas ranging from household income levels to internet access. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Construction on the Trans Mountain pipeline near Pípsell, or Jacko Lake, near Kamloops, B.C., resumed after the Canada Energy Regulator allowed for the company to alter the pipeline route. Workers lay pipe during construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion on farmland, in Abbotsford, B.C., on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Trans Mountain route change will ‘desecrate’ sacred site: Secwépemc knowledge keeper

Corridor near Kamloops holds ‘profound spiritual and cultural significance,’ Nation says

Construction on the Trans Mountain pipeline near Pípsell, or Jacko Lake, near Kamloops, B.C., resumed after the Canada Energy Regulator allowed for the company to alter the pipeline route. Workers lay pipe during construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion on farmland, in Abbotsford, B.C., on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck