Category Archives: Indigenous Nations

Indigenous Nations

A mistake is a gift: decolonizing journalism includes missteps and teachings

Editor’s not: The story of one man’s experience navigating the new world of more culturally sensitive journalism.

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The Nisg̱a’a word for respect is kwhlixhoosa’anskw. 

Driving up to Nisg̱a’a territory to bear witness to a ceremony and take part in a feast, I knew there was going to be a lot of media at the events and I was concerned I might see some extractive or disrespectful behaviour. As a non-Indigenous journalist who lives near Nisg̱a’a lands, I am committed to decolonizing my journalism and know how easy it is to make a mistake.

I was worried there would be a lack of kwhlixhoosa’anskw. 

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Business, Indigenous Nations

QXMX’s newest operation: the Klahoose mill

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QXMC, the Klahoose development corporation, recently acquired a new operation. Kevin Peacey, who ran the Klahoose mill before he became Chief in 2017, will now be overseeing operations.   

“As of September 1st,  QXMC has taken over the mill and has leased the land here from the band. We have three employees right now, (myself),  J. R. Harry and Tim.  In the near future, which is coming up pretty quick, we’re going to probably employ three or four more people. Phase three power is coming into the mill, here in Squirrel Cove, and we’ve got four more machines coming in:  an edger, a kiln, a TNG machine,  and  a big chop saw machine.  Everything will be run off  phase three, as much as we can get here,” he explained.

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Education, Indigenous Nations

Raising a flag to remember: Cortes Island School marks Orange Shirt Day

CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

The sun was shining on Cortes Island school Friday Sept 29, as the Parent Advisory Committee shared orange T-shirts with all the children. With a new principal, the team and students were busy all month preparing to observe the day of memorial by raising a Residential School Survivors’ flag. 

Klahoose Elders visited to share their lived experiences and share song, drumming, and hope. Sisters Rose Hanson and Jessie Louie, joined with singer Brenda Hanson.

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Energy, Indigenous Nations

Regulator approves TMX plan to trench through ‘extremely sacred’ Secwépemc site

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Editor’s note: Another example of the conflict between industry and First Nations Sacred sites.

By Aaron Hemens, IndigiNews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Secwépemc knowledge-keeper is outraged after Trans Mountain was given approval from Canada’s energy regulator to trench through an important cultural site to build its pipeline expansion — calling the project colonialism personified.

“Evil is putting it lightly,” said Mike McKenzie, who is from Skeetchestn.

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Indigenous Nations, Politics

Pemberton pauses Official Community Plan process to build ‘deeper’ relationship with Lil’wat Nation

Editor’s note: A possible model of how rural communities and First Nations can cooperate.

By Roisin Cullen, Pique Magazine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Village of Pemberton (VOP) is pausing its Official Community Plan (OCP) review process so officials can focus on building a “deeper and more meaningful” relationship with the Lil’wat Nation, the VOP announced at Pemberton’s Sept. 12 council meeting.

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