First Nations say ancestral remains found during excavation near Ontario Power Generation's new Oshawa headquarters
The remains were found at Scugog Carrying Place at 1910 Colonel Sam Dr., a well-known historic site that has 'long been used by our ancestors and community,' said the release, which was published on behalf of Alderville First Nations, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nations, Hiawatha First Nations and Curve Lake First Nations. Public access to the site has been restricted.
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Cision Canada
8 hours ago
- Cision Canada
The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited Formalizes Agreement with Aamjiwnaang First Nation on a Major Naturalization Project at the Blue Water Bridge Français
POINT EDWARD, ON, Aug. 7, 2025 /CNW/ - The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) is pleased to announce it has formalized a key agreement with Aamjiwnaang First Nation, to undertake a significant, multi-year Naturalization Project at the Blue Water Bridge. This collaboration addresses a key operational need to mitigate flooding risks on the property caused by increasingly frequent and heavy rains. It was fitting to seek out the expertise of Aamjiwnaang First Nation to oversee the project, ensuring that the approach to tackling these environmental challenges is done in a manner that respects this historical land. By strategically planting self-sustaining native plants on sections of the 5.5-acre grass field adjacent to a stormwater pond, this initiative will improve water management and enhance the site's environmental resilience. A central aspect of the project is the revitalization of the landscape surrounding the Souls Memorial, a monument commissioned in 2003 to commemorate the long history of First Nations gathering at Aamjiwnaang. The new plantings in the circular ring around the memorial honour its design, which symbolizes the Anishnaabek Medicine Wheel. This work respectfully enhances a space of deep cultural and historical importance. The project was unofficially kicked off early in June during FBCL's employee recognition event, where team members participated in an initial planting ceremony overseen by representatives of the Aamjiwnaang Greenhouse, symbolizing a commitment to sustainability and community partnership. This formal agreement now marks the official start of the multi-year, staged approach to the project. "We are thrilled to engage with Aamjiwnaang First Nation on this vital naturalization project," said Natalie Kinloch, CEO of FBCL. "This initiative is a perfect example of how we can meet a practical operational need while fulfilling our commitment to environmental responsibility and strengthening our relationship with our Indigenous communities. We are not just creating a solution for water management; we are also enriching the landscape with native plants and respectfully honouring the deep cultural heritage of this land." FBCL is proud to embark on this project, reinforcing its commitment to safe, efficient operations and strong community engagement. FBCL owns, manages and operates international bridges and associated structures in Sault Ste. Marie, Point Edward, Lansdowne (Thousand Islands) and Cornwall, Ontario. FBCL's mandate is to provide the highest level of stewardship so that its international bridges and associated structures are safe and efficient for users.
Vancouver Sun
11 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Record number of early sockeye recorded in test catch in Johnstone Strait
Early numbers are promising for sockeye salmon headed to the Fraser River through the Johnstone Strait. Alexandra Morton, an independent Island-based biologist who has been keeping a close watch on the salmon run numbers, said that on July 31, 14,550 sockeye were caught on the Johnstone Strait test fishery boat — the highest July daily catch recorded since test fishing began. Morton said her phone has been blowing up with texts from people overjoyed by the news, as well as the run of early Stuart sockeye, which goes up to Takla Lake in northern B.C. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. That run is already in the Fraser River and is currently being counted by the Fisheries Department. DFO has already reached a count of 700,000, above the 160,000 initial estimate that the federal agency gave this year, she said. DFO spokesperson Leri Davies said the agency is unable to attribute increased salmon returns to any single factor at this point, but the large return could not have happened without the combined efforts of First Nations and the provincial and federal governments. The rebound for early Stuart sockeye comes six years after a major landslide in the Fraser River blocked salmon from reaching their spawning grounds, she said in a statement. Commercial and recreational fisheries opportunities may come as more information about the salmon run is collected, she said, adding that First Nation fisheries remain the priority while conservation measures are in place. On Aug. 1, ʼNa̱mǥis fishers were among those who headed out to catch salmon for food, social and ceremonial purposes over a four-day fishery window. Another fishing window for First Nations opened midnight on Wednesday and will close Aug. 9. Na̱mǥis hereditary chief and retired fisher Don Svanvik said ʼNa̱mǥis is allocated a quota of 5,000 sockeye, which means members will likely get around a dozen salmon each if they are able to catch the quota. ʼNa̱mǥis have only been allowed to fish in four of the past 15 years of sockeye salmon runs — in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 — due to a severe drop in returning numbers, Svanvik said. It's gotten to the point where some people think the sockeye only return to the rivers every four years, he said. But this year is shaping up to be a good run, he said. Before the turn of the century, when sockeye was more plentiful, his family would catch 100 to 150 sockeye a year, said Svanvik, adding the fish are nicknamed 'sliders' after the species' tendency to make half-circle jumps out of the water. Right now, everybody on Johnstone Strait is seeing those fins flash across the water, he said. Svanvik and Morton both attribute the rebound of the sockeye run this year, at least in part, to the 2021 closure of Atlantic salmon fish farms off the east coast of Vancouver Island. 'This year and last year [are] the first runs where we're starting to see fish come back that were not exposed to salmon farms when they were juveniles,' said Morton, who has opposed fish farms on the west coast for decades. 'People are wondering, is this part of why the numbers are so huge? Because they're not huge in the Columbia, the Barkley, the Skeena, the other big sockeye rivers.' The salmon returning to the rivers to spawn would have gone out to the Pacific as smolts in 2023, she said. David Knox, Kwakiutl hereditary chief and elected councillor for Kwakiutl First Nation, said there are too many factors to point to a single one causing the rebound for salmon runs going through the Johnstone Strait. Since fish farms began operating in the area 35 years ago, there has been a massive sockeye run in 2015, a major chum salmon run in 2021, and sizable returns of pink salmon, too, he said. Logging and mining in areas where salmon spawn, as well as ocean-floor trawlers, are other major threats to salmon that aren't talked about as much, Knox said. 'I worked on those boats for five years, so that's why I can talk about the impacts — because I witnessed it.' Knox said there's grumbling among Indigenous people who want to fish the sockeye run for economic gain. 'They're suppressing us from being able to gather our resources,' said Knox, who is planning to start a 'pre-Confederation' fishery outside the DFO process that he says his nation has the right to under the 1851 Fort Rupert Douglas treaties. The Pacific Salmon Commission said commercial salmon fishing in Fraser River-area waters remains closed in both Canada and the U.S. The latest commission report estimates that about six in 10 sockeye are shifting their migration route from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Johnstone Strait. Morton said there still is a lot that needs to change before salmon runs aren't threatened anymore, but this year's early results show the salmon remain resilient. 'To see these fish turn on like this is just so hopeful. One day we will be able to have abundant salmon running through these waters again.' mjlo@
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
First Nations fishers hit the water as Fraser River sockeye return in big numbers
Spawning sockeye salmon, a species of Pacific salmon, are seen making their way up the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park near Chase, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward Sockeye salmon have sustained Indigenous people in British Columbia for thousands of years, but in recent decades, the abundance has not been what it once was. 'I would have 20 cases of sockeye for the winter. I would have 40 or 50 sockeye in the deep freeze,' said Bob Chamberlin, chair of the First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance. 'Now, I'm lucky if I make a case of fish last two years because it's so rare to get.' This year is shaping up to be the best in recent memory. So far, close to 750,000 Early Stuart sockeye have made their way past the Fraser River counting station at Mission. Those fish will travel 1,200 kilometres inland to their spawning grounds near Fort St James. The early numbers are more than ten times the 70,000 Early Stuart fish originally expected. In light of the stronger than anticipated return, some B.C. First Nations have the green light to harvest sockeye for food, social and cultural purposes. The fish will be distributed to their members who will smoke or can most of it. 'For nations across the province to have that kind of food source is incredible. Now the fun part is when the whole family gets together, strengthens the family ties, and works collectively on fish,' Chamberlin said. 'Its great. It's a lot of work but it's fun and it strengthens our communities and our nations.' Commercial operators would also like a chance to catch Fraser River sockeye for the first time in six years. 'We've had record test fishing for July, since records were kept on test fishing,' said Paul Kershaw, a commercial fisherman. According to Kershaw, who represents other commercial operators in meetings with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Pacific Salmon Commission, the latest estimates put the total Fraser River sockeye return at close to six million. He expects that estimate to increase even further in the coming days, but he doesn't think commercial fishers will be allowed to land any sockeye this summer. 'Well, unfortunately, they're still operating under a low-run scenario that they modeled in the wintertime,' he said of the DFO and the PSC, which is made up of commissioners from Canada and the United States. Conservationists are also watching this year's return closely. According to Greg Taylor, an advisor with Watershed Watch Salmon Society, sockeye returning to the Fraser River this year face an uncertain future. He told CTV News low water levels and high water temperatures could lead to increased mortality. 'There's estimates now this year, that somewhere between 30 and 50 per cent of returning fish could die enroute to their spawning grounds,' Taylor said. Along with the unexpected numbers, those are also factors the DFO and PSC will have to consider before deciding whether to allow the commercial fleet onto the water.
