$40-billion agreement reached on child welfare

(Courtesy First Nations Child and Family Caring Society) “Discrimination is when the government doesn’t think you’re worth the money.” According to Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, these words were uttered by a child her organization was working with. “We don’t want First Nations children to

Minor hockey refs ready for the big time

(Courtesy Shooter Dailleboust) Adam Dailleboust and Matthew Stacey are just 14 and 15 years old, but that’s old enough to be calling the shots in minor hockey. The two teens have been working as referees in the Suroit Zone, encompassing Kahnawake, Chateauguay, Mercier and Ste. Martine. They referee for different age groups,

Grand chief hosts Indigenous Affairs minister

(Courtesy Mohawk Council of Kahnawake) December 10 wasn’t the first time Quebec’s minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs, Ian Lafrenière, came to Kahnawake, but it was his first tour of the community. He had a particularly qualified guide in Mohawk Council of Kahnawake grand chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. At least one of the stops might

G&R report meeting questioned

“The recommendations are just band-aid solutions,” said Tracy Cross, referring to the mitigation options proposed to address the nauseating odours emitting from the recycling site in Kanesatake. “We cannot and will not stand by government officials any longer as our health deteriorates.” Cross was among the Kanehsata’kehró:non who attended a meeting

Dissecting the asbestos file

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) finally released the long-awaited executive summary of the Asbestos Civil Investigation’s final report. However, many unanswered questions remain regarding accountability, decision-making, and transparency. Last Friday, MCK executive director Onerahtókha (Karlie) Marquis, chief Cody Diabo and the investigation’s community observer Doug Lahache participated in a press

Dreamcatcher comes down

(Courtesy Nick Huard) A giant dreamcatcher created by Mi’kmaq elder and residential school survivor Nick Huard, with the help of children from communities across Canada, is now without a home. It was commissioned by the Confederation Centre for the Arts in Prince Edward Island as part of a Canada-wide initiative to encourage

Ice racing returning soon

(Courtesy Bryant Montour-Leblanc) Last year, the frozen-over bay at the Kahnawake Marina was dotted with 100 shacks for ice fishing, a quiet activity that brings to mind contemplation and serenity. The shacks will be back this winter, but things are about to get a lot louder at the marina. The Kahnawake Marina Super

Diabo’s eloquence leads to award

(Courtesy Sylvie-Ann Paré) Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo’s work bringing Indigenous traditions to the dance world in Montreal has been recognized with a prestigious award. At an awards ceremony on December 3, Diabo was named laureate of the Prix interprète de la danse de Montréal, an award highlighting the contributions of a local dancer