First Nations

Doug White, chairman of the B.C. First Nations Justice Council, will join the premier’s office at Special Counsel on Indigenous Reconciliation. (Black Press Media file photo)

Coast Salish lawyer Doug White joining B.C. premier’s office to speed reconciliation

White will work on issues held up between multiple government ministries

 

Butterflies in Spirit founder Lorelei Williams (left), UBCIC representative Louisa Housty-Jones, and BCAFN representative Melissa Moses speak at a panel on ending violence against women in Vancouver on Nov. 24, 2022. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

UBCIC, BCAFN call on VPD to release video of officers mocking sexual harassment

Officers filmed video while uniformed and on-duty, spread it throughout department

 

The Raincoast Conservation Foundation led a study of contaminants in the water of the Sumas Lake area following the November 2021 floods. The findings were released Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. (Alex Harris/Raincoast Conservation Foundation)

Painkillers, pesticides and cocaine among contaminants found in Fraser Valley floodwaters

Study of water samples raises ‘fundamental questions’ about health of people and fish

 

Discrimination is a near ubiquitous experience for status First Nations in B.C. when they use their status cards, a Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs-commissioned study found. (Screenshot/They Sigh or Give You the Look: Discrimination and Status Card Usage report)

Racism when using First Nations status cards a ‘near-universal experience’: UBCIC study

All but 4 survey respondents reported discrimination when using status card in B.C.

Discrimination is a near ubiquitous experience for status First Nations in B.C. when they use their status cards, a Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs-commissioned study found. (Screenshot/They Sigh or Give You the Look: Discrimination and Status Card Usage report)
Sierra Chi?ela William, right, sits with her grandmother Eileen William, after receiving her sash as a finalist for Miss Canada Petite Global. (Credit: Roger William)

B.C. woman hoping to bring Miss Canada Globe Petite title to Xeni Gwet’in Nation

Sierra Chi?ela William competes for pageant title in Toronto

Sierra Chi?ela William, right, sits with her grandmother Eileen William, after receiving her sash as a finalist for Miss Canada Petite Global. (Credit: Roger William)
Victor Earl Ordano’s headstone at the Chemainus Cemetery. (Photo by Mike Russell)

No Stone Left Alone links family’s history to Penelakut

Close connection found from a friend in teacher’s research

  • Nov 10, 2022
Victor Earl Ordano’s headstone at the Chemainus Cemetery. (Photo by Mike Russell)
Cowichan Tribes Chief Lydia Hwitsum said legislative amendments to the province’s Child, Family and Community Service Act represent a significant step towards reconciliation. (Citizen file photo)

Cowichan Tribes pleased with more say in child and family services

Chief Lydia Hwitsum says legislation giving First Nations more control a positive step forward

  • Nov 9, 2022
Cowichan Tribes Chief Lydia Hwitsum said legislative amendments to the province’s Child, Family and Community Service Act represent a significant step towards reconciliation. (Citizen file photo)
A defaced road sign of a logging truck is seen near the protest site of Fairy Creek on southern Vancouver Island on Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

BC Supreme Court rejects old growth protesters application to combine their cases

Application called for court to join and stay proceedings due to RCMP’s “alleged systemic misconduct”

A defaced road sign of a logging truck is seen near the protest site of Fairy Creek on southern Vancouver Island on Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Mary Brown, program coordinator for the Heiltsuk Gvi’las Restorative Justice Department, is developing a new program for at-risk young women in Bella Bella using $100,000 from a human rights complaint settlement with the Vancouver Police Board. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

Police settlement with Heiltsuk grandfather to fund new program for at-risk young women

Vancouver Police Board will contribute $100,000 to the Nation’s restorative justice department

Mary Brown, program coordinator for the Heiltsuk Gvi’las Restorative Justice Department, is developing a new program for at-risk young women in Bella Bella using $100,000 from a human rights complaint settlement with the Vancouver Police Board. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
Alvin First Rider, an environmental technician with Blood Tribe land management, works to build a beaver dam analog in a dry creek bed on the Kainai First Nation in southern Alberta as part of work to protect grasslands and watersheds near Stand Off, Alta., on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Climate Changed: First Nation balances Western science with traditional knowledge

One method involves mimicking the work of beavers to better control the water supply

Alvin First Rider, an environmental technician with Blood Tribe land management, works to build a beaver dam analog in a dry creek bed on the Kainai First Nation in southern Alberta as part of work to protect grasslands and watersheds near Stand Off, Alta., on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Archaeology crews have discovered a roasting pit feature at the Boitanio Mall site where excavation is underway to replace a sewer pipe. (Brandon Hoffman photo)

Archaeology crews unearth fire pit, roasting pit at Williams Lake mall excavation site

‘The roasting pit is super significant because we rarely find them,’ said Whitney Spearing.

Archaeology crews have discovered a roasting pit feature at the Boitanio Mall site where excavation is underway to replace a sewer pipe. (Brandon Hoffman photo)
FILE – Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, then B.C. Representative for Children and Youth, speaks to a reporter in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

UBCIC backs Turpel-Lafond after investigation questions her Indigenous heritage

It is up to Indigenous communities to determine who belongs, not media, union says

FILE – Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, then B.C. Representative for Children and Youth, speaks to a reporter in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

New First Nations centre coming to B.C. to give economic development guidance

Centre will look at how to better benefit from sectors such as forestry, mining and natural gas

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. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Photo credit: Janice & George Mucalov

Indigenous-owned driving school to strengthen economic opportunities on the North Island

The ‘Namgis First Nation Driving School will be modeled on the All Nations Driving Academy

Photo credit: Janice & George Mucalov
Master of ceremonies Monique Pat (centre) welcomes those attending Friday’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation ceremony in Sooke on Friday. (Kevin Laird – Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke teachers discuss how Indigenous understanding is taught in classroom

‘It manifests into good discussion,’ says EMCS educator

  • Oct 5, 2022
Master of ceremonies Monique Pat (centre) welcomes those attending Friday’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation ceremony in Sooke on Friday. (Kevin Laird – Sooke News Mirror)
“A Mother’s Cry” is so revered in Nisga’a culture that only the Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Society dancers are permitted to perform musical narration, as seen at Salmon Fest in June 2022.

‘A Mothers Cry’ heard across B.C.’s northwest captures the pain of separation and loss

Hallowed Nisga’a song shares the anguish of stolen children and mothers’ arms left empty

“A Mother’s Cry” is so revered in Nisga’a culture that only the Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Society dancers are permitted to perform musical narration, as seen at Salmon Fest in June 2022.
Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation lives in Williams Lake, B.C. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Orange Shirt Society founder hopeful for future of Indigenous families

B.C.’s Phyllis Webstad will be at Niagara Falls for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation lives in Williams Lake, B.C. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
A totem at the top of the Malahat that had been vandalized has now been replaced. (Photo courtesy of City of Duncan)

Salish Bear Totem returned to Malahat summit

Totem set on fire last year

A totem at the top of the Malahat that had been vandalized has now been replaced. (Photo courtesy of City of Duncan)
B.C. premier John Horgan, left, and five ministers met with the Tŝilhqot’in Nation in the Xeni Gwet’in caretaker area Sept. 21 and 22. (B.C. government photo)

Tŝilhqot’in title lands crux of two-day meeting with Indigenous leaders, premier, ministers

Premier John Horgan, five ministers met with the Tŝilhqot’in Nation at Nemiah Valley Lodge

B.C. premier John Horgan, left, and five ministers met with the Tŝilhqot’in Nation in the Xeni Gwet’in caretaker area Sept. 21 and 22. (B.C. government photo)
Quatsino First Nation’s community hall was full on Tuesday evening as BHP made a public apology to the nation regarding the Island Copper Mine’s operations. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

Global firm apologizes to Quatsino First Nation for damage caused by Island Copper Mine

Decommissioned open pit mine was located in Quatsino First Nation traditional territory

Quatsino First Nation’s community hall was full on Tuesday evening as BHP made a public apology to the nation regarding the Island Copper Mine’s operations. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)