APTN News Brief

Our lead story: In late May, a wildfire tore through the evacuated community of Chipewyan Lake in Treaty 8 territory, part of Bigstone Cree Nation in Alberta. Nearly half the structures were destroyed and the chief says the federal and provincial governments have been slow to respond. • • • APTN National News, our stories told our way. Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

Our lead story: The Carney government introduces legislation aimed at tightening bail rules for certain offences, but some fear the changes will worsen the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the prison system. • • • APTN National News, our stories told our way. Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

Our lead story: Police are treating the death of a Wolastoqey woman as a homicide after human remains were found in a wooded area north of Fredericton on Monday afternoon. • • • APTN National News, our stories told our way. Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

Our lead story: a follow-up Auditor General of Canada report finds that, despite a 84% boost in spending on First Nations primary health care, safe drinking water and emergency management since 2019, issues persist with their delivery by Indigenous Services Canada.

Our lead story: dozens protest outside an Edmonton courtroom just prior to 38-year-old Bryan Farrell's scheduled bail hearing on multiple charges related to the death of 14-year-old Samuel Bird, only to learn it's postponed.

Our lead story: A B.C. Supreme Court Justice hands down sentences to a trio of land defenders—Sleydo', Shaylynn Sampson, and Corey Jocko—who tried to block the construction of the Coastal Gas Link Pipeline through Wet'suwet'en territory. >Interstitial: Zapsplat.com

Our lead story: following a lengthy search, Edmonton police say the body of 14-year-old Samuel Bird has been found, with one man arrested and charged in connection with the teen's murder.

Our lead story: the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth issues a statement of concern, saying the province needs to better prioritize Indigenous young people in its wildfire preparedness and response.

Our lead story: disturbing video of an RCMP arrest in Cape Breton raises concerns over the tasering of a 58-year-old Mi'kmaw man charged on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after refusing a breathalyzer. >Interstitial: zapsplat.com

Our lead story: survivors of the Portage La Prairie residential school in Manitoba gather to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of its closure, for some the first time seeing one another in decades. >Interstitial: zapsplat.com

Our lead story: the Edmonton Police Service says it's narrowed down the location of the remains of Samuel Bird—the 14-year-old who went missing back on June 1st—as somewhere likely in the Carrot Creek area, about 90 minutes west of the city.

Our lead story: as proceedings begin at the Federal Court of Appeal, some 50 supporters gather outside to back Kebaowek First Nation's efforts to keep blocking proposed radioactive waste disposal site at Chalk River, ON.

Our lead story: the Kebaowek First Nation stages a joint press conference in Ottawa ahead of a judicial review of their legal challenge to construction of a nuclear waste disposal site at Chalk River, ON.

Our lead story: as part of its pushback against a federal forensic audit, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations claims expenses were fully accounted for, and allege "opposition forces" tried to sway the 2024 FSIN election in favour of "Ottawa-aligned" candidates.

Our lead story: at the request of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Indigenous Services Canada says it will share greater details from a disputed forensic audit of FSIN spending.

Our lead story: FSIN 4th Vice-Chief Craig McCallum says he cannot in good conscience stand behind a Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations statement pushing back on a forensic audit of its operations. >Interstitial: zapsplat.com

Our lead story: after months of searching by family, supporters and Edmonton police, missing 14-year-old Samuel Bird is now presumed deceased, a death police believe to be criminal in nature.

Our lead stories: a look at some of the events across Canada marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Our lead story: on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, some note how few of the TRC's 94 calls to action have been answered since the commission delivered its final report in 2015.

Our lead story: a First Nations-led gathering in Saskatoon discusses the results of a recently-released forensic audit into the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, which found millions in unaccounted for FSIN spending.    

Our lead story: AFN regional chief for New Brunswick Joanna Bernard resigns from the child and families portfolio, citing difficulties working with the National Children's Chiefs Commission.

Our lead story: Indigenous Services Canada publicly releases the results of a long-awaited forensic audit of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, finding millions in either ineligible or questionable FSIN spending.

Our lead story: as Thunder Bay police now search a local landfill for the remains of Deborah Anishinabie, the leader of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) says her murder and the investigation have taken a toll on surviving family members.

Our lead story: a command centre is set up on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River to help with the search for 14-year-old Samuel Bird, missing as of June 1st.

Our lead story: following a recent visit to Neskantaga First Nation—site of Canada's longest-ever boil-water advisory—Ontario ombudsman Paul Dubé criticizes the province and the feds for their inaction on its deplorable living conditions.

Our lead story: a member of Grassy Narrows—a northern Ontario First Nation plagued by decades of mercury poisoning due to pollution from a nearby paper mill—manages to directly confront premier Doug Ford at a public event in the Niagara region.

Our lead story: a proposed class action lawsuit by some former employees of Indian Oil and Gas Canada—alleging systemic racism, abuse of power, and workplace misconduct—is now set for a certification hearing in early November to determine whether it can proceed.    

Our lead story: Mi'kmaw land protectors escalate their efforts to prevent further clearcutting of a Cape Breton mountain by setting up a camp and checkpoint, a site patrolled regularly by RCMP.

Our lead story: as the fall parliamentary session begins, word is the Carney government will deliver an austerity budget this sitting, with debate over bill C-5 (aka the One Canadian Economy Act) likely another hot topic.    

Our lead story: four years in, the Yukon government's efforts to revise its mining laws continues to meets with friction from First Nations.  

Our lead story: Prime Minister Mark Carney announces initial short list of projects for review by the Liberal government's Major Projects Office, claiming they'll generate $60 billion and tens of thousands of jobs for the economy.  

Our lead story: claiming critically low numbers of moose in their territory after years of overhunting by big game enthusiasts, Bloodvein River First Nation sets up check stops to turn away non-Indigenous hunters in Manitoba.  

Our lead story: still reeling from Thursday's mass stabbing, Hollow Water First Nation's school holds a candlelight vigil and walk to honour the eight victims and their families.  >Interstitial: zapsplat.com  

Our lead story: as close to 150 wildfires burn across British Columbia—over a third deemed out of control—with 13 evacuation orders in effect in south central B.C., authorities expect forecasted cool, wet weather to help.

Our lead story: as Manitoba RCMP investigate last week's mass stabbing on Hollow Water First Nation, a family member of one of the victims appeals to others to reflect on what happened.    

Our lead story: a mass stabbing on Hollow Water First Nation in northern Manitoba kills one and hospitalizes at least 7 others, including an RCMP officer. >Interstitial: zapsplat.com

Our lead story: day one of this week's AFN Annual General Assembly in Winnipeg takes place in the shadow of the contentious Bill C-5, federal legislation some fear enables the trampling of treaty rights.  

Our lead story: with hundreds of chiefs in Winnipeg for a gathering of the Assembly of First Nations, Bill C-5's fast tracking of so-called national interest projects is but one of many pressing issues on the agenda.

Our lead story: among the draft resolutions to be debated at this week's Assembly of First Nations gathering in Winnipeg, a call for federal intervention and a Canada-wide state of emergency regarding on-reserve substance abuse.  

Our lead story: a Sixties Scoop survivor takes an emotional journey across the Pacific Ocean to reunite with his birth mother, 50 years after he and his sister were taken from her. > Interstitial: zapsplat.com  

Our lead story: in light of U.S. and Canadian tariffs, as well as Bill C-5's push to fast-track resource projects, Kahnawake Mohawks and Tsuut'ina First Nation sign a nation-to-nation trade deal.

Our lead story: with video of an incident involving Edmonton police officers now shared thousands of times on-line, the service claims it only shows a portion of what took place.

Our lead story: at a recent special gathering of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, leaders decide not to commit to the Crown–Indigenous Corporation (MCIC), a major infrastructure projects initiative put forth by the Manitoba government.

Our lead story: a week-long search for missing teenager River Clement of Tulita, N.W.T. comes to a tragic close when their body is discovered along the Mackenzie River.

Our lead story: the Manitoba government releases the actual, lower-than-estimated, costs of the successful search of the Winnipeg-area Prairie Green landfill for the remains of First Nations women Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran.