Category: news

by Faith Greco (with files from Markus Schwabe)

A family travelling on the Attawapiskat River in Ontario’s far north has been planting flags — created by Attawapiskat First Nation families — as a symbol of protest after the passing of provincial and federal laws created to fast-track development.

Bill 5, the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, allows Ontario to create special economic zones, where companies or projects can be exempted from having to comply with provincial laws, regulations or municipal bylaws.

Attawapiskat First Nation is downstream from the mineral-rich Ring of Fire, which Premier Doug Ford wants to designate as a special economic zone.

…. to read the full news story, please click on the link below

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/first-nations-families-in-ontario-protest-development-laws-by-reasserting-presence-on-the-land-1.7568643

A northern Ontario Indigenous family from Attawapiskat is going on a paddle planting flags to protest the government and protect their land.

…. to watch the full video of the news story, please click on the link below

https://www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ontario/video/2025/06/23/northern-ont-indigenous-family-planting-flags-in-protest

“This is an important event for me to take part in because this government action will affect my future and it will affect everything including the land, the water and the animals everywhere,” said event organizer 20-year-old Leeon Prince of Mattagami First Nation.

…. to read the full news story, please click on the link below

https://windspeaker.com/news/windspeaker-news/northern-ontario-first-nation-youth-protest-bill-5

First Nation youth in northeastern Ontario took to the streets of Timmins to protest the Ontario government’s recent introduction of Bill 5 which aims to fast track resource development in northern Ontario.

“This is an important event for me to take part in because this government action will affect my future and it will affect everything including the land, the water and the animals everywhere. Their decisions will bypass laws, our people’s rights and directly affect our lives. I wanted to be part of this protest and to help out in any way I could. It was astonishing to see how everyone came together and to see the Eagle staffs, the regalias, the drumming, the flags and the people. I want to say Kitchi-Meegwetch (thanks very much) to absolutely everyone who came out to support us,” said 20 year old Leeon Prince, Mattagami First Nation, one of the organizers.

…. to read the full news story, please click on the link below

https://wawataynews.ca/breaking-news/northern-ontario-first-nation-youth-protest-bill-5

In an historic first, Beaverhouse First Nation signed an impacts and benefits agreement with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited regarding the company’s Macassa Mine, on Dec. 16.

“We are appreciative Agnico Eagle was willing to work with our community regarding the historic Kirkland Lake Macassa Mine site,” said Chief Wayne Wabie.

“They carried on the legacy of previous owners when they took ownership of this mine site and they came to the table to work with us on this milestone agreement.”

…. to read the full news story, please click on the link below

https://www.northernnews.ca/news/beaverhouse-first-nation-agnico-eagle-sign-historic-agreement

Chief Jennifer Constant, Mattagami First Nation was celebrated as one of the guests of honour at the inaugural Women In Mining Sudbury awards gala which was held on November 21. She was recognized as an Indigenous Trailblazer during the event in honour of her years of service and advocating for her First Nation as related to the mining industry.

…. to read the full column, please click on the link below

https://wawataynews.ca/breaking-news/chief-constant-honoured-women-mining-gala-event

Faye Naveau, an Indigenous actress, artist and performer from Mattagami First Nation has a vision that revolves around the creation of an Indigenous Theatre reality that features a venue, programming and a place where First Nation people can showcase their art in all forms. Currently she is taking part in a leading role as ‘Sybil’ in the upcoming play ‘Witches In The Woods’ during the inaugural Tamarack Festival in Timmins from September 13 to 15. Naveau hopes to inspire young Indigenous actors, performers, story tellers and writers into joining local theatre arts groups and encourage them to use the dramatic arts to share their stories and take part in a positive and creative outlet.

…. to read the full column, please click on the link below

https://www.wawataynews.ca/arts-entertainment/indigenous-actress-faye-naveau-performs-tamarack-festival

Wabun Tribal Council recently hosted the 17th Annual Wabun Youth Gathering for senior Indigenous youth at Beaverhouse First Nation.

The gathering, held from Aug. 12-15, was the second half of this annual event which is meant for youth from the ages of 14 to 18. The first part of the event for junior aged youth was held in Mattagami First Nation July 15-17.

[this news story is appearing in the Northern News newspaper of Kirkland Lake in their August 22, 2024 printed issue. You can find the printed edition in Kirkland Lake or you can also view the online story with the link below]

…. to read more, please click on the link below

https://www.northernnews.ca/news/annual-wabun-youth-gathering-held-at-wilderness-location

Wabun Tribal Council hosted the 17th Annual Wabun Youth Gathering for senior Indigenous youth in Beaverhouse First Nation. The gathering which was held from August 12 to 15, 2024 is the second half of this annual gathering which is meant for youth from the ages of 14 to 18. The first part of the event was held in Mattagami FN on July 15 to 17 for junior aged youth. These annual events are hosted and organized by the Wabun Tribal Council Health Department with the support of the tribal council’s member First Nations.

…. to read more, please click on the link below

https://wawataynews.ca/breaking-news/annual-wabun-youth-gathering-held-wilderness-location