Latest news with #Treaties9
CBC
5 days ago
- CBC
First Nation man shot and killed by police 1 year after father's death in police shooting
Just over a year after his father was shot and killed by a police officer in Kenora, Ont., Eric Nothing's family has identified him as the victim of a police shooting in Deer Lake First Nation that occurred earlier this week. Ontario's police watchdog is investigating the incident, which took place in the remote Oji-Cree community in northwestern Ontario Tuesday afternoon. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) went to a residence in Deer Lake around 1:30 p.m. local time that day with a warrant to arrest a man, who then fled from the house. "There was an interaction, and one NAPS officer discharged his firearm at the man. Officers provided first aid and the man was taken to a nursing station where he was pronounced deceased," the SIU said in a news release issued Wednesday. Nothing's uncle, Joshua Frogg, described his nephew as a hard worker and a good person. During the community's recent evacuation due to a nearby wildfire, Nothing stayed behind to help with building maintenance and look after people's pets. "He volunteered to help in any crisis situation," Joshua Frogg told CBC News in an interview Thursday. "He was a very caring individual." About 1,100 people live in Deer Lake, which is about 580 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay. Earlier this month, the SIU cleared a Kenora officer with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) of any wrongdoing in connection with the death of Bruce Wallace Frogg — Nothing's father — at Anicinabe Park in June 2024. In that case, Nishnawbe Aski Nation — which represents 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5 — described the investigation as "severely flawed." "We reject the conclusion that the officers' actions were reasonable and justified," Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said in a statement. I hate to say this, but it's just the reality for us as a family and maybe as Indigenous peoples, that the system is designed to fail us. The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person. The agency says two investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the Deer Lake case, as well as one subject official and one witness official. "I have nothing good to say about the SIU," Joshua Frogg said. "We have no trust in them." While the SIU initially identified Nothing as a 45-year-old man, spokesperson Kristy Denette confirmed to CBC News that he was in fact 40, and that the information initially received by the agency was incorrect. According to Denette, "the arrest warrant was in relation to assault." However, the family's experience with Bruce Wallace Frogg's investigation has made them leery of how the agency may handle Nothing's case, said Joshua Frogg. "I hate to say this, but it's just the reality for us as a family and maybe as Indigenous peoples, that the system is designed to fail us," Joshua Frogg said. "There is no justice." Wapekeka, Deer Lake First Nations in mourning In a news release issued Wednesday evening, the OPP Northwest Region said that "at the request of the NAPS, the OPP is investigating the circumstances leading up to NAPS attendance as well as the immediate situation at the scene as officers arrived." "The OPP investigation is separate from that of the SIU, which is investigating the police-involved interaction," the OPP says. Joshua Frogg said Nothing grew up in Wapekeka First Nation and moved to Deer Lake when he got married. He called his nephew an intergenerational residential school survivor, and said he was affected by the experiences of his father, grandmother and other relatives who were forced to attend residential schools. From celebrations to funerals, Joshua Frogg said Nothing was always involved in the community, and that Deer Lake and Wapekeka are grieving him together. As the SIU investigation unfolds, Joshua Frogg said he wants a separate agency to look into Nothing's death that is not staffed by former police officers. "[The police are] basically investigating themselves, and that is not a good thing in our view," he said. Jeremy Sawanis, a band councillor for Deer Lake, posted on Facebook that a prayer service was being held Wednesday in Nothing's honour. "Chief and council would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of late Eric Nothing," Sawanis wrote. In the meantime, Joshua Frogg said the family is focusing on laying Nothing to rest and taking care of his wife and children. The OPP is asking anyone with information or video footage — including surveillance, dash cam, cell phone and social media — taken near the intersection of Police Station Road and Water Treatment Road in Deer Lake on Tuesday between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., to contact the service at 1-888-310-1122. People can also submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or
CBC
05-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Nishnawbe Aski Nation's message to Canada's new prime minister
Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5, has congratulated Prime Minister Mark Carney on his election win. However, it's also setting out clear expectations for the new federal government to honour treaty rights. Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler speaks to the CBC's Mary-Jean Cormier about his concerns.
CBC
15-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Nishnawbe Aski Nation deputy grand chief has 'nothing to hide,' says law firm representing Bobby Narcisse
Social Sharing The law firm representing a Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) deputy grand chief who's facing an independent investigation says Bobby Narcisse denies all the allegations against him, saying they amount to nothing more than "a political attack." Judson Howie LLP, a Fort Frances, Ont.-based law firm, issued a statement on Tuesday, a week after Narcisse confirmed with CBC News that he is the subject of a third-party investigation related to NAN's code of conduct. Narcisse is one of three deputy grand chiefs with the political-territorial organization, which represents 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5 in Ontario. In a letter addressed to NAN's governance committee on Tuesday, Judson Howie LLP refers to allegations against Narcisse that were made by Chief Jennifer Constant of Mattagami First Nation. The firm says these allegations were addressed to NAN's governance committee in a letter on April 4. The specific allegations against Narcisse aren't immediately known; NAN's code of conduct is not readily available on its website. "Our client denies that any of the allegations made against him have any merit or amount to more than a political attack orchestrated to sideline him and silence his sincere concern for the proper, accountable and transparent governance of NAN," Judson Howie LLP said in the statement Tuesday. "This complaint appears to be in reprisal for Deputy Grand Chief Narcisse's expressed concerns that appropriate governance protocols are not being followed and that the NAN executive is taking steps without any mandate from the NAN chiefs (which is normally formalized by resolution of a chiefs' assembly)." "Deputy Grand Chief Narcisse has nothing to hide. He intends to fully co-operate with any properly constituted, fair and independent investigation," the law firm's statement added. CBC News reached out to NAN for comment on the investigation as well as the statement issued by Judson Howie LLP, and had not yet received a response by publication time. In its letter to NAN's governance committee, Judson Howie LLP said Narcisse "is happy to answer questions or to provide any information about any of the alleged incidents that have been described in the April 4 letter if appropriate and independent oversight is provided in this process." "It is our understanding that several of the NAN chiefs have already requested that the results of an appropriate investigation be brought back to a chiefs' assembly at the earliest opportunity." CBC News has also reached out to Constant for clarity about the allegations raised and will update the story with any response.
CBC
14-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Ontario's severed ties with Starlink impedes access to legal services in remote First Nations
Indigenous legal advocates in northwestern Ontario are sounding the alarm over the Ontario government's cancellation of its contract with Starlink, citing concerns with people's access to legal services in remote First Nations. Last month, Premier Doug Ford announced he'd be ripping up the $100-million deal with Elon Musk's internet provider, as a retaliatory measure in the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war. Starlink, developed by Musk's company SpaceX, is a low-orbit satellite constellation system known for improving broadband internet access in rural and remote communities. Musk — called a "special government employee" by U.S. president Donald Trump — has received heavy criticism for his role in the Trump administration's government cutbacks, resulting in a growing trend of people 'cancelling' products and services associated with him. But in northwestern Ontario, this means the end of the Starlink-Navigator Program delivered by Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation (NALSC), which "permitted community members, who often do not have access to internet, or reliable internet, an opportunity to participate in virtual courts." NALSC serves people across Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) territory, which covers 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5. The Starlink-Navigator Program allowed the organization to assist between five and 80 people in attending virtual court per session across 29 court locations. WATCH | Protesters tee off on Trump, Musk in global 'Hands Off' rallies: Protesters rally against Trump in dozens of cities across U.S. and worldwide 9 days ago Duration 4:47 "Going forward, NAN community members will need to independently find the means and technology to attend court via Zoom," NALSC said in a statement last Tuesday. The organization, which declined to do an interview, issued a follow-up statement on Thursday, providing more details about the Ministry of the Attorney General's refusal to renew funding for the program. "Without funding to this critical program, it is anticipated that, alongside ancillary effects, many individuals will be unable to participate in the court process when their respective court is proceeding virtually," NALSC said in Thursday's release. "A lack of funding for the Starlink-Navigator Program will further strain an already overburdened legal system. Communities should expect to see an increased cost to complete matters, as the inability to facilitate virtual court appearances will delay legal proceedings." CBC News has reached out to the Ministry of the Attorney General for comment on NALSC's concerns and is awaiting a response. Daniel Cox is a member of Fort William First Nation and a lecturer at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law in Thunder Bay. He described the suspension of the Starlink-Navigator Program as a "step backwards." "This is obviously going to hamper access to justice," said Cox. Among his concerns are people's constitutional rights to trials within a reasonable timeframe, as well as the limited ability of lawyers to travel to remote communities to provide in-person services. "We've got an aging bar. There are fewer and fewer lawyers that have the capacity to continue to take on clients from these northern communities," he said. There's also the issue of people failing to attend their court dates due to lack of remote access, which can lead to further incarceration, Cox added. This is obviously going to hamper access to justice. While Indigenous people make up about five per cent of Canada's population, they account for 32 per cent of all individuals in federal custody, according to Public Safety Canada. Meanwhile, about half of federally-incarcerated women are Indigenous. "If our goal is to try to reduce this overrepresentation, surely cutting down the access to the court system virtually can only hamper any efforts that we've had in place," said Cox. Technology as a touchpoint Francine McKenzie, who is completing her final year at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, grew up in Red Lake and is a member of Muskrat Dam First Nation. She's previously worked for communities at the tribal council level. A big part of what drew her to law school was her desire to improve First Nations' access to justice. "I thought it's amazing to see technology like this being accessed and used in our communities because it's desperately needed," McKenzie said of the Starlink-Navigator Program. "Court is a very, very hard process for people, so having that connection to someone in their community, having that consistency, I think that's really important." Beyond the criminal justice system, she wants to see technology used to bridge the gap in other areas, such as family law and wills and estates planning. I thought it's amazing to see technology like this being accessed and used in our communities because it's desperately needed. "We look at Telehealth in the north and what it's done for our communities in that aspect, so I think this is definitely something that could be developed and really needs the commitment of long-term, reliable funding from all the partners," McKenzie said. In Cox's view, the downstream solution is finding a way to substitute the service if it is no longer provided through Starlink. Quoting Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa, he said, "we've got to invest in a homegrown infrastructure, whether it's hardwired infrastructure or perhaps incentivizing or encouraging Canadian telecom providers to come up with some type of similar service provision." As for an upstream solution, Cox said First Nations may consider parting ways with Canada's justice system if it's not meeting their people's needs, "and moving towards more traditional and Indigenous justice in their communities." McKenzie added that it's important for people to recognize the work NALSC does in NAN territory. "I think it's something that is really unappreciated sometimes," she said. "As long as that continues to be maintained, I hope that other partners will come and support them and be able to provide more access."
CBC
17-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Indigenous Services minister says economic reconciliation essential amid Canada-U.S. trade war
Social Sharing As the new federal government grapples with how to tackle the growing trade war between Canada and the U.S., Patty Hajdu says a key opportunity to strengthen domestic economies lies with reconciliation. While more than a dozen positions have been cut in Prime Minister Mark Carney's lean 24-person cabinet — down from 39 members under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — Hajdu has maintained her role as minister of Indigenous Services. Hajdu was first elected as MP of Thunder Bay—Superior North in 2015 and became minister in 2021. She was also formerly the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, but this role has been merged under Carney's government under one economic development agency portfolio. "It's a very big honour to continue to serve in this role and in this particular cabinet, which is the cabinet that's needing to respond to, I think, a significant crisis … one of the largest crises of our lifetime," Hajdu told CBC News in an interview on Friday following the swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall. WATCH | PM Carney delivers first speech after being sworn in at Rideau Hall FULL SPEECH | PM Carney delivers first speech after being sworn in at Rideau Hall 3 days ago Duration 4:42 Following a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Friday, Prime Minister Mark Carney says it's a 'solemn duty to serve as prime minister at this time of great consequence for our country.' Amid escalating tariffs and taunts from U.S. president Donald Trump that Canada will become the 51st state, Hajdu admits that Canada's 30th ministry has a daunting task at hand. "We need to be, as a country, self-sufficient. We need to be strong economically, we need to diversify our trade partners and we, of course, need to protect Canadians along that journey," she said. For her, one of the key ways to do that is to strengthen Canada's relationships with Indigenous people and work alongside them to close the country's productivity gap and seize more local opportunities for growth. "In order to achieve those goals, every single person in this country has to have a pathway to reach their full potential," she said. Promoting Indigenous businesses, tourism and training Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), a political-territorial organization that represents 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5, issued a statement Friday to congratulate Carney on his new role. While NAN says "substantial progress" was made under Trudeau's government — including work around child welfare reform — "the Liberal leadership campaign lacked substantive conversation about federal responsibilities to First Nations." "Our communities need to know that the challenges they are facing will be met with action, and that legislation to advance their interests will be prioritized," NAN said in its statement. NAN also welcomed the return of Hajdu as minister of Indigenous Services, and of Gary Anandasangaree as minister of Crown– Indigenous relations and northern affairs Canada. When it comes to the trade war, Hajdu said the government must maintain its procurement targets that allow thousands of Indigenous businesses to sell to the Government of Canada. "Of course, we have to do that carefully and we have to ensure that we have a robust system to make sure that it is benefiting, in fact, Indigenous people," she said. Fostering the country's growing Indigenous tourism economy is another fruitful area, she added.
