Indigenous

Artist Jessica Chickite stands with the mural she painted for the new Starbucks run by the We Wai Kai first Nation. Photo courtesy Starbucks Canada

We Wai Kai celebrate opening of Island’s first Indigenous-owned Starbucks

When ground broke last year, Campbell River area outlet was called the first of its type in Canada

 

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

 

<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

 

Sasha Perron proudly crosses the finish line of his first Ironman race with a smile. (Photo supplied by Sasha Perron on Meta)

Vancouver Island man conquers heat, flat tire in tribute to survivors

Indigenous man from Alert Bay completes Ironman raising awareness for residential school survivors

Sasha Perron proudly crosses the finish line of his first Ironman race with a smile. (Photo supplied by Sasha Perron on Meta)
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’

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)
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 Vancouver Island’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)

Another atmospheric river renews calls for a real road into Nitinat Lake

Road floods multiple times every winter disrupting access to small, remote community

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
Tseshaht members dance outside of Maht Mahs on Sept. 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on the First Nation’s reserve by Port Alberni. (Eric Plummer photos)

Tseshaht looking to demolish and replace last vestiges of residential school

First Nation wants to tap into federal funding to replace Maht Mah’s gymnasium

Tseshaht members dance outside of Maht Mahs on Sept. 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on the First Nation’s reserve by Port Alberni. (Eric Plummer photos)
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