Local News from Across the Rainy River District
FORT HOPE — One of the most welcome components of the Ontario Final Agreement (OFA) to reform child welfare services on reserves is the remoteness quotient, leaders of northern First Nations say. The remoteness quotient is the factor by which child and family services funding is increased to account for […]
The fly-in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation lost another home to fire over the weekend, as the Auditor General of Canada refuses to investigate allegations that the Canadian Human Rights Commission is “slow-walking” complaints over inequitable firefighting resources in northern Ontario First Nations. The March 28 duplex fire in the community […]
Last week, 12 members of Naicatchewenin (Northwest Bay) First Nation (NFN) took part in ice rescue training, which will enable them to help out community members who find themselves in trouble. Bob Morrison is the Community Emergency Management Coordinator, Deputy Fire Chief and First Response Team Coordinator for the First […]
As black bears emerge from hibernation in spring, the Government of Ontario and the OPP are advising the public on how to avoid attracting their attention and the best ways to keep them from sniffing out a potential meal in the neighbourhood. Bear sightings in rural areas are a common […]
TORONTO — First Nations leaders in Ontario are celebrating a decision by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal over the future of child welfare. On Monday, the tribunal approved the Ontario Final Agreement — the nine-year, $8.5-billion deal that the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation reached with the federal […]
Eight youth ranging in ages 8-13 took part in the “You’re The Chef” program in La Vallee during March break. The program ran for three days, March 17, 18 and 19, and was made possible by the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU). The Municipality of LaVallee sponsored the Program. Leaders were […]
TIMMINS – Ontario’s 2026 budget misses the mark for Northern Ontario, says Timiskaming-Cochrane MPP John Vanthof. Vanthof is disappointed the budget failed to acknowledge growing concerns from northern communities, including road safety and municipal infrastructure. “I would say, from a northern perspective, more of the same and missing the moment,” […]
ATIKOKAN — A former elementary school property in Atikokan is up for sale. The Rainy River District School Board is looking to sell off two surplus pieces of land it owns in the town, with one of them being the former North Star Community School property on Hawthorne Road. The […]
KENORA — Archie McKay has been sentenced to imprisonment for life. The Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug man was convicted last May on five counts of second-degree murder for setting the fire that killed his partner, Geraldine Chapman, their daughter, Shyra Chapman, and three children in Geraldine’s care, Angel McKay, Karl Cutfeet and […]
THUNDER BAY – The 2026 shipping season is officially underway at the Port of Thunder Bay as the MV Kathy McKeil passed the breakwall at 3:23 p.m. on March 26. On Friday morning, Capt. Adam Barnes and chief engineer Matthew Rankine were named as Top Hat Award winners, continuing a […]
A northern Ontario MPP submitted a formal complaint to Queen’s Park’s house speaker on Thursday after security wouldn’t allow observers into the gallery wearing an “Every Child Matters” t-shirt, and in another case, a sewn patch of the Transgender pride flag. Thunder Bay-Superior North NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois sent speaker […]
A lack of good water infrastructure persists as a health and welfare threat for Indigenous communities across Canada, as two days underscoring the issue surfaced last week in the Alberta legislature. National Indigenous Water Operator Day was March 21 in Canada, followed by World Water Day on March 22. Both […]
