Category Archives: Indigenous Nations

Energy, Indigenous Nations

Sentencing of land defenders tests Canada’s commitment to Indigenous rights

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Three Indigenous land defenders are set to be sentenced this week for blocking construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline on their nation’s unceded territory in northern British Columbia. 

Hereditary Chief Na’Moks said the defenders from the Wet’suwet’en Nation are standing on the right side of history. He called their efforts an act of care for the land, water and air that sustain everyone. “They are simply protecting what is right for this entire planet,” he said.

Sleydo’ Molly Wickham, Shaylynn Sampson and Corey “Jayohcee” Jocko were convicted in January 2024 for defying court injunctions that aimed to end blockades against pipeline construction in 2019. The sentencing hearing for the three begins today in Smithers, BC. For the community, it’s raising fundamental questions about how Canadian and Indigenous law coexist.

Continue reading Sentencing of land defenders tests Canada’s commitment to Indigenous rights →
Health, Indigenous Nations, Politics, Transportation

Area C Director’s Report: update on UBCM advocacy

Hello, 
The past week was a blur of learning, advocating, and networking as I was immersed for five and a half days at the annual Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention which this year took place in lovely Victoria BC.

Along with study sessions, learning workshops, discussion forums, and plenary sessions from early morning till late afternoon, UBCM provides an opportunity for regional districts and municipalities to advocate on their priority issues with provincial Ministers and to meet with provincial staff as well. This report shares an update on advocacy the SRD Board & I engaged in, representing regional and community concerns with the Province.

Continue reading Area C Director’s Report: update on UBCM advocacy →
Cost of Climate Change, Indigenous Nations, Politics

Campbell River Joins Nationwide ‘Draw the Line’ Demonstrations

3 Comments

On September 20th, Campbell River joined thousands across Canada calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney and the various provincial governments to ‘Draw the Line’ for urgent climate action, justice, and peace. CBC News states there were 2,000 demonstrators in Toronto, Vancouver CityNews reported ‘thousands’ in Vancouver and turnouts numbering in the hundreds were reported in Victoria and Ottawa. While major urban centres drew crowds in the hundreds and thousands, smaller communities across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands also had gatherings. Between 60 and 70 people turned out at Campbell River’s Spirit Square. At least 10 of these came from Quadra Island and 7 from Cortes Island. 

Continue reading Campbell River Joins Nationwide ‘Draw the Line’ Demonstrations →
Indigenous Nations

41 additional unmarked graves found at former residential school site in Sechelt

By Jordan Copp, Coast Reporter, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Please note this story may contain information that is triggering to readers. Survivors and those impacted by residential schools can call the 24-hour national Indian Residential School Crisis Line for support services: 1-866-925-4419. Support is also available through Hope for Wellness helpline at 1-855-242-3310 or at hopeforwellness.ca. 

The shíshálh Nation has announced the discovery of 41 additional unmarked graves at the site of the former St. Augustine’s Residential School, bringing the total number of graves identified to 81.

Continue reading 41 additional unmarked graves found at former residential school site in Sechelt →
Indigenous Nations

With court win, Quw’utsun Nation sees a ‘spiritual homecoming’ after 150 years

By David P Ball,  IndigiNews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The shoreline at Tl’uqtinus village — once the annual home to more than a thousand people during salmon season — is today a tangle of blackberry bushes and shipping terminals in what is today ‘Richmond, B.C.’

The riverside village of Tl’uqtinus — once the annual home to more than a thousand people during salmon season — is today a sprawl of retail warehouses, mostly unused municipal lots, a Coca-Cola plant, and a fuel facility for the nearby Vancouver International Airport.

Less than 15 kilometres up the “Fraser River” from the Salish Sea, the former fishing village’s once-busy shores are today host to shipping terminals and a tangle of thorny and invasive blackberry bushes.

Last week, Tl’uqtinus village sparked an even thornier public debate over Indigenous people’s right to land — and settlers’ private property — across the province.

The B.C. Supreme Court, after a record-length trial, declared the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Nation holds title to the 7.5-square-kilometre village site and the right to fish near it — a century-and-a-half after the province sold it to settlers.

Continue reading With court win, Quw’utsun Nation sees a ‘spiritual homecoming’ after 150 years →