Latest news with #StMichaels
CTV News
16-07-2025
- CTV News
Man conceived in late ‘60s residential school sex assault connects with First Nations family
A man who recently found his biological father also learned the dark truth about his conception, allegedly the result of sexual abuse at a residential school. An Okanagan man brought up in Penticton by a family that adopted him as an infant has connected with his biological First Nations family – but the joyous reunion has also opened decades-old wounds. The father and son sat down exclusively with CTV News to talk about reconciling their newfound relationship with the dark chapter in a residential school where it all began. Very early in life, Terry Chase's parents told him he was adopted. 'Maybe five or six years old. So, I always knew. From when I was old enough to understand, anyway,' he said. After nearly five decades of searching for clues about his biological family, a post shared on Facebook generated a lead on Vancouver Island. DNA tests confirmed a match and at 54 years of age, Chase finally met Dorman Joseph, his biological father. 'I'm very happy I can try to help Terry somehow with his life. And be as close as we can,' Joseph said, as he sat with his son at Thunderbird Hall in Campbell River. Chase's longform birth certificate lists his mother as Jane Peacock, a woman he's never met. His father obviously has. 'I was 14 and she was 21 years old,' he said. 'It was ongoing. It wasn't just one time.' It happened in 1968 when Joseph was a student at St. Michael's Indian Residential School in Alert Bay, where Peacock worked supervising children. In 2006, Joseph sued the federal government and the Anglican Church for sexual assault. The parties reached an out of court settlement. St. Michael's was demolished in 2015 – but the emotional scars remain. Now armed with new information, Joseph and Chase have filed another lawsuit against the same defendants – and Jane Peacock – seeking accountability for what happened at St. Michael's. 'You don't hide nothing from nobody. You've got to tell them what it's all about. Who I am. And who he is,' Joseph said while pointing at his son. In a brief statement, Indigenous Services Canada said it has received the filing made in B.C. Supreme Court. 'We remain committed to approaching litigation related to past harms suffered by Indigenous people in a respectful, compassionate and fair manner,' said Jennifer Cooper, a spokesperson. The Anglican Church of Canada did not respond to a request for comment. Jane Peacock's whereabouts are unknown. Despite the dark origins of their story, Joseph and Chase are focused on writing a positive next chapter. For Chase, that means exploring his First Nations heritage and culture for the first time. He recalls the feast his recently discovered family held in the community the day he met his father – and the powerful moment when his nephews sang and drummed in his honour. 'I was in tears. I didn't know a single word of the song, but it was so powerful that I was blown away,' Chase said. Sitting side by side, going through old photographs, it's clear he and his father have a lot of catching up to do. 'You can tell by his baby picture there that he's a Joseph. This photograph part of our family. You can tell just by looking at it,' Joseph said. Circumstances kept them apart for decades, but father and son are finally walking forward together.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- CTV News
B.C. man conceived at residential school in late ‘60s connects with First Nations relatives
A man who recently found his biological father also learned the dark truth about his conception, allegedly the result of sexual abuse at a residential school. An Okanagan man brought up in Penticton by a family that adopted him as an infant has connected with his biological First Nations family – but the joyous reunion has also opened decades-old wounds. The father and son sat down exclusively with CTV News to talk about reconciling their newfound relationship with the dark chapter in a residential school where it all began. Very early in life, Terry Chase's parents told him he was adopted. 'Maybe five or six years old. So, I always knew. From when I was old enough to understand, anyway,' he said. After nearly five decades of searching for clues about his biological family, a post shared on Facebook generated a lead on Vancouver Island. DNA tests confirmed a match and at 54 years of age, Chase finally met Dorman Joseph, his biological father. 'I'm very happy I can try to help Terry somehow with his life. And be as close as we can,' Joseph said, as he sat with his son at Thunderbird Hall in Campbell River. Chase's longform birth certificate lists his mother as Jane Peacock, a woman he's never met. His father obviously has. 'I was 14 and she was 21 years old,' he said. 'It was ongoing. It wasn't just one time.' It happened in 1968 when Joseph was a student at St. Michael's Indian Residential School in Alert Bay, where Peacock worked supervising children. In 2006, Joseph sued the federal government and the Anglican Church for sexual assault. The parties reached an out of court settlement. St. Michael's was demolished in 2015 – but the emotional scars remain. Now armed with new information, Joseph and Chase have filed another lawsuit against the same defendants – and Jane Peacock – seeking accountability for what happened at St. Michael's. 'You don't hide nothing from nobody. You've got to tell them what it's all about. Who I am. And who he is,' Joseph said while pointing at his son. In a brief statement, Indigenous Services Canada said it has received the filing made in B.C. Supreme Court. 'We remain committed to approaching litigation related to past harms suffered by Indigenous people in a respectful, compassionate and fair manner,' said Jennifer Cooper, a spokesperson. The Anglican Church of Canada did not respond to a request for comment. Jane Peacock's whereabouts are unknown. Despite the dark origins of their story, Joseph and Chase are focused on writing a positive next chapter. For Chase, that means exploring his First Nations heritage and culture for the first time. He recalls the feast his recently discovered family held in the community the day he met his father – and the powerful moment when his nephews sang and drummed in his honour. 'I was in tears. I didn't know a single word of the song, but it was so powerful that I was blown away,' Chase said. Sitting side by side, going through old photographs, it's clear he and his father have a lot of catching up to do. 'You can tell by his baby picture there that he's a Joseph. This photograph part of our family. You can tell just by looking at it,' Joseph said. Circumstances kept them apart for decades, but father and son are finally walking forward together.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Sunderland supported homeless accommodation planned
Plans to turn a house into supported accommodation for homeless people have been City Council has applied to change the use of a former "house of multiple occupancy" at The Elms West in the city's St Michael's authority said the development, which would include three carers working during the day and two at night, would help meet demand caused by an "increase in homelessness".The Labour-led authority is applying to its own planning department for permission to create nine self-contained apartments. A consultation into the plans is open until 2 September. A spokesman said: "As a council we are committed to providing not just a place to stay, but meaningful support that helps people grow in confidence with them moving on to secure, independent living."The site sits within the Ashbrooke conservation area, but the building is not listed, reports the Local Democracy Reporting showed the property historically attracted some antisocial behaviour and was "generally neglected and poorly maintained", however it had since been refurbished. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Navajo crews fight Oak Ridge Fire near Window Rock; evacuations underway; wood haulers reportedly sparked blaze
Firefighters on the Navajo Nation were working to contain a wildfire that broke out on the afternoon of June 28 near Window Rock, sending thick white smoke into the skies over eastern Arizona. According to the Navajo Nation police, the fire was reportedly sparked by wood haulers. The Oak Ridge Fire was reported roughly 4 miles south of Summit Road, in the community of St. Michaels — about 10 minutes west of Window Rock — according to a Facebook post from the Navajo Nation Police Department. It was reported about 1:45 p.m. The Bureau of Indian Affairs-Wildland Fire Management for the Navajo Region reported that the fire initially had burned about 150 acres. It had since grown to about 780 acres as of 7 p.m. and was 0% contained, according to Lt. Tyler Lynch of the Navajo Nation Police Department. Lynch said residents along Roads 603, 604, 605, and the Navajo Telecommunications Road in St. Michaels had been instructed to evacuate. 'We're still receiving updates from BIA Fire regarding the extent of the evacuation,' Lynch said. 'Per BIA Fire, we plan to halt evacuations at midnight and redeploy our resources in the morning.' Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren stated on his social media that an emergency response from the Navajo Department of Emergency Management, BIA-Navajo Region Fire Management, and the Window Rock Fire Department had been deployed. "Crews are currently on site working to suppress the blaze," posted Nygren on Facebook. "Community members are urged to avoid the area to ensure the safety of both residents and emergency responders, and to reduce exposure to hazardous smoke conditions." Navajo Nation police posted on their Facebook page that an evacuation order within the Oak Ridge Fire area was currently underway. "The fire has triggered evacuations along its projected path and near the El Paso pipeline corridor. It continues to demonstrate high potential for spread due to dry fuels and active fire behavior, including torching and spotting," stated the Navajo Nation Council. A shelter for evacuees was open at the Window Rock Fighting Scouts Events Center, located in Fort Defiance. This location will be the primary emergency evacuation shelter for the Oak Ridge Fire evacuees. The Fort Defiance Chapter House also was open for evacuees. Nygren said livestock in the area could be moved to the Window Rock Fairgrounds, which were open if a staging area was needed. State Route 264, also known as the Navajo Code Talker Highway, runs directly south of the fire's burn area, connecting much of northeastern Arizona to New Mexico. As of about 8:30 p.m., the freeway remained open, but the Arizona Department of Transportation warned that heavy smoke in the area was causing traffic to slow and advised motorists to proceed in the area with caution. Live traffic conditions can be monitored on The Arizona Republic was at the scene and witnessed thick brown and gray smoke engulfing the sky over widespread flatland between St. Michaels and Ganado, in the Navajo National Forest. The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority has de-energized select power lines as a safety precaution, noting potential impacts to Chinle, Nazlini, Ganado, Klagetoh, Steamboat and Wide Ruins. The utility authority stated that electric line crews were on standby and would provide updates on any outages. 'Our people need to be vigilant about the poor and dry conditions we're experiencing on the Navajo Nation,' said Resources and Development Committee Chair Brenda Jesus. 'I've urged the Navajo Nation Forestry Department and the BIA to impose Stage 2 Fire Restrictions so we don't further jeopardize our people, wildlife, and our land.' Nygren stated that fire suppression efforts were actively underway: Three loads of fire retardant were dropped by air tankers. Two air tankers remained in operation. Hotshot crews were working on the ground. Additional aircraft were en route. Law enforcement increased patrols to restrict access and ensure public safety. Nygren stated he is actively coordinating with emergency teams and staying updated on fire containment efforts. Residents were encouraged to monitor official updates and take necessary precautions as fire crews continued their efforts to contain the blaze. 'I urge all community members to stay clear of the affected area to allow our fire crews to carry out their critical work safely,' Nygren said. 'This fire is a serious reminder for all of us to remain alert and follow the Navajo Nation's fire restrictions, especially during this dangerously dry season. Taking preventive measures now can help protect our communities and our land.' Nygren asked for the public's help to provide donations at the incident command center at the Bee Hółdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance. Nygren said items most needed included necessities like plates, cups, eating utensils, prepared food and snacks. Also needed were toiletries, blankets, cots, diapers and baby formula. Council Delegate Dr. Andy Nez, who represents the communities of Crystal, Fort Defiance, Red Lake and Sawmill, was setting up cots at the Window Rock Fighting Scouts Events Center in preparation for any evacuees who may arrive at the shelter. He said that any evacuees with animals or livestock should take them to the fairgrounds in Window Rock. Nez also noted that Tsehootsoi Medical Center had activated its incident command and would be donating 47 cots for evacuees, with Behavioral Health staff on standby to assist. "I do my best, not only with our chapters but with our constituents, to tell them: Don't throw out your ashes, don't burn trash. Ready. Set. Go. Carry certain things in your vehicle," said Nez, who also added that fireworks are illegal on the Navajo Nation. This is a developing story; check back to for more details. Feds seek to prosecute: Humans caused thousands of Arizona acreage to burn in spring This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Navajo Nation crews fight wildfire near Window Rock; evacuations begin
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Navajo Nation crews fight wildfire near Window Rock
Firefighters on the Navajo Nation were working to contain a wildfire that broke out the afternoon of June 28 near Window Rock, sending thick white smoke into the skies over eastern Arizona. The blaze was reported roughly 4 miles south of Summit Road, in the community of St. Michaels — about 10 minutes west of Window Rock — according to a Facebook post from the Navajo Nation Police Department. "Crews are currently on site working to suppress the blaze," posted Navajo President Buu Nygren on Facebook. "Community members are urged to avoid the area to ensure the safety of both residents and emergency responders, and to reduce exposure to hazardous smoke conditions." Nygren stated on his social media that an emergency response from the Navajo Department of Emergency Management, BIA-Navajo Region Fire Management, and the Window Rock Fire Department had been deployed. Navajo police asked residents and wood haulers to avoid the area. The Arizona Republic was at the scene and witnessed thick brown and gray smoke engulfing the sky over widespread flatland between St. Michaels and Ganado, in the Navajo National Forest. Nygren stated he is actively coordinating with emergency teams and staying updated on fire containment efforts. Residents were encouraged to monitor official updates and take necessary precautions as fire crews continued their efforts to contain the blaze. 'I urge all community members to stay clear of the affected area to allow our fire crews to carry out their critical work safely,' Nygren said. 'This fire is a serious reminder for all of us to remain alert and follow the Navajo Nation's fire restrictions, especially during this dangerously dry season. Taking preventive measures now can help protect our communities and our land.' This is a developing story; check back to for more details. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Navajo Nation crews fight wildfire near Window Rock
