Indigenous ownership won’t solve problems with Trans Mountain pipeline, says Squamish Nation councillor

Proposal to buy pipeline being discussed by Indigenous leaders

CBC Radio, Jan 17, 2019

More than 100 First Nations are considering a plan to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline, but not all Indigenous leaders affected by the expansion are convinced.

“For us, it doesn’t change anything, who owns it,” said Khelsilem, a Squamish Nation councillor.

Lawsuit over Fort McMurray First Nation finances fuels protest outside band office

Band councillor who launched suit now suspended, faces disciplinary hearing

David Thurton, CBC News,  Jan 12, 2019

An ongoing controversy over more than $1 million in payments made to band officials has disrupted a northern Alberta First Nation community, prompting a lawsuit and a blockade of band offices.

Last week, members of the Fort McMurray No. 468 First Nation blocked access to the band’s offices with a pickup truck and signs.

Elected vs. hereditary chiefs: What’s the difference in Indigenous communities?

Front of the U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay, BC, based on a traditional house front from the late 1800s.

by Nick Wells, CTV News, Jan 9, 2019

In the aftermath of arrests and protests over a planned pipeline in northern B.C., the roles of elected and hereditary chiefs in the province’s Indigenous communities is being scrutinized.

Dismantle the AFN – before it causes any more damage to Indigenous sovereignty

Participants in the elections for AFN National Chief at the AFN’s annual general assembly in July 2018.  Photo by Josh Campbell/Briarpatch

by Courtney Arlt, Briarpatch blog,   July 25, 2018

As I write, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is holding elections for the Office of the National Chief, during their 39th annual general meeting. Amidst protests against the government buying and ramming through Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, and camps fighting for justice for Indigenous children on the lawns of government buildings, candidates and past chiefs alike have argued that the AFN is out of touch with grassroots movements. Even as candidates promise to reform the AFN, the question remains: is the AFN even worth reforming?

Who belongs in Canada’s newest and possibly largest First Nation?

An application for membership in the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation. (Colleen Connors/CBC)

Bureaucratic process conflicts with cultural identity as Newfoundland band and federal government disagree on enrolment points system

by Nic Meloney, CBC News, March 1, 2018

Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation, which includes Mi’kmaq from all across Newfoundland, stands to become the largest First Nation band in Canada with more than 104,000 applicants for membership since 2008.

That is, if the band and the federal government can figure out who belongs.

Norway House installs checkpoint to block drugs, liquor

The 24-hour checkpoint is on Highway 73, the only road into Norway House. (Norway House Cree Nation/Facebook)

Visitors and community members must pull into 24-hour checkpoint staffed by security guards

CBC News, Feb 20, 2018

Anyone driving into Norway House Cree Nation now has to go through a border patrol-like checkpoint.

The dry community is taking the extra step to prevent alcohol and drugs from entering the reserve.

Indigenous-led energy company plans GoFundMe to legally challenge federal oil tanker moratorium

Eagle Spirit Energy has launched GoFundMe account to raise funds for legal effort

CBC News, January 26, 2018

Over the past several years, Indigenous groups have gone to court to try to stop energy projects, arguing they were not adequately consulted.

But this week, an Indigenous-led energy company announced it will sue the federal government for the opposite reason.

Youth council scolds AFN for usurping power, authority belonging to First Nations

Mark Hill, Co-Chair AFN Youth Council

By Deb Steel, Windspeaker, December 5, 2017
“The centralization of the power and authority that the Assembly of First Nations assumes over our First Nations communities diminishes our treaty and inherent rights…” National AFN Youth Council

Stand down from the assumption of power over First Nations peoples and their Nations. The Assembly of First Nations is not a government.That was the message that the AFN National Youth Council delivered to the chiefs in assembly this morning in a powerful statement delivered by co-chair Mark Hill of Six Nations of the Grand River.

Indigenous Affairs is no more — departmental split is underway, Liberal government says

Canada’s Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett, left, and Minister of Indigenous Services Jane Philpott take part in a cabinet shuffle at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on August 28, 2017.

‘We are tearing down the outdated and paternalistic structure of old,’ Carolyn Bennett says

By John Paul Tasker, CBC News, Dec 4, 2017

The Liberal government’s promised move to dissolve Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development (INAC) and replace it with separate departments reached a milestone Monday with the creation of two new ministries.

Indigenous activist demands transparency from Thunderchild First Nation

Harrison Thunderchild speaks with reporters outside the Court of Queen’s Bench after filing his court application. (Tyler Pidlubny/CBC)

‘Truth. That’s all I’m looking for, is truth,’ says activist Harrison Thunderchild

By Joelle Seal, CBC News, Nov 21, 2017

An Indigenous activist has launched a court application demanding transparency from his own First Nation.

Harrison Thunderchild went to Regina’s Court of Queen’s Bench Tuesday demanding that Thunderchild First Nation disclose chief and council compensation, as well as basic financial documents as required by the First Nations Financial Transparency Act.