Local News from Across the Rainy River District
MOOSE CREE FIRST NATION — The Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation says the territorial organization’s leadership wasn’t invited to a recent consultation session by provincial officials. Alvin Fiddler told the 2025 Keewaywin Conference on Tuesday afternoon that the NAN executive “did not receive even the courtesy of a notice,” […]
KIRKLAND LAKE – On a cold January morning in 2020, Colleen Fagan sat at her kitchen table in Kirkland Lake, stunned. Pierre Richard, her stepson, who she thought was in jail, had been released and died of drug poisoning within 24 hours. “I was his stepmom. I loved him dearly,” […]
When Agnieszka Filipek arrived from Poland 33 years ago, she brought with her a wealth of culinary knowledge from deep traditional foundations and a dream to one day market this. In August of 2024, Filipek developed her home-based business Agnieszka Organics, and is celebrating one year of being part of […]
With summer in full swing, so too is the sweet season of Ontario fruits — fresh from the orchard, grove, bush, field or vineyard. Local fruit season starts in early to mid-June with the much-anticipated strawberries, which then moves into a domino run of fresh, succulent berries, tender fruit, tree […]
Provincial police are asking the public for tips following Wednesday morning’s discovery of the body of a 48-year-old Ignace man lying on a local highway. Police said they received reports from motorists just before 6 a.m. that the man — who has not been identified — was lying near town […]
Supercom Industries, a manufacturing company headquartered at Fort William First Nation, has received $195,946 from the Ontario government to build and market an innovation that improves railway foundations. Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland made the announcement at the facility on Thursday and said the funding, which comes through the Northern […]
THUNDER BAY — Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), which represents 49 First Nations across northern Ontario, added to debate on Métis claims in the province with a statement on recent historical research. A report published last month by Wabun Tribal Council, an organization for six First Nations in northeastern Ontario, says […]
THUNDER BAY — Indigenous consultations relating to the controversial Bill 5 were scheduled for Friday in the Lakehead, but who was consulted and where the sessions took place are unclear. Newswatch contacted several First Nations chiefs who said they were not aware of the sessions. Aroland Chief Sonny Gagnon and […]
Water is the lifeblood of agriculture, but climate change and shifting weather patterns are straining access. Longer droughts, heavier downpours, and greater competition for resources are forcing producers to rethink irrigation, crop choices, and land management. Farmers Maggie Winchester and Mattson Griffiths of Parachute Farm in Vankleek Hill are working […]
Wilfrid Laurier University and Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) have a long history of collaboration. Although the two schools have worked closely together for around 30 years, they recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to “strengthen academic ties to better serve Indigenous peoples in Ontario,” according to a news release. It’s one of […]
During the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, James Frank Palmater faced relentless, crushing pain. A massive heart attack had reduced his heart function to only 15 per cent. The isolation of social distancing in his palliative care ward deepened his suffering. Two and a half weeks after the infarction, […]
WEBEQUIE — A northern Ontario First Nation’s chief says more housing and the infrastructure to support it are crucial as his community’s population continues to grow. Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse told Newswatch, ideally, they’d be able to build 30 new homes this year, but realistically, that number will be closer […]
