By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Oliver Paipoonge has added itself to the list of rural Thunder Bay-area communities that have implemented municipal fire bans as the risk of new wildland fires heats up. Under the Oliver Paipoonge ban that took effect Friday at 8 a.m. “no burning will be allowed in the municipality until the […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

Premier Doug Ford’s Tories are exploiting the tariff war to sidestep the government’s duty to consult First Nations, the NDP MPP for Kiiwetinoong says. Sol Mamakwa told Newswatch in an interview Friday that Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, is an attack on First Nations’ rights. […]

By Abdul Matin Sarfraz
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s National Observer

Premier Doug Ford is adding his controversial Highway 401 mega-tunnel to Ontario’s official funding wishlist for Ottawa, rebranding the widely-panned idea as a national priority. But critics are again raising the alarm, calling the proposal environmentally reckless, politically calculated and wildly unrealistic in cost and feasibility. The request came in a letter last […]

By Regan Treewater
Local Journalism Initiative
Reporter
Alberta Native News

(ANNews) – “The broader community, coast-to-coast, already knows that the targeting of MMIWG2S+ epidemic is a nationwide crisis, but people need to know that they also have the ability to contribute to saving lives,” commented Alaya McIvor, the Community Culture Animator for the Red Dress Alert initiative being pioneered in […]

By Megan Hederson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
muskokaregion.com

“Oh my God, ew!” This was Jesse Heichert’s first reaction when she spotted an invasive, toxic creature while working in a client’s garden in Port Sandfield on May 7. “I just saw it out of the corner of my eye,” she said. “It was gross.” The creature seems to have […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

KIIWETINOONG — Viewing the James Bay Treaty was an “emotional” experience for Sol Mamakwa, MPP for Kiiwetinoong. The New Democrat’s riding is mostly within the territory of the treaty, also known as Treaty 9, and the land includes his home First Nation. He recently visited the Archives of Ontario in […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

PIKANGIKUM — Water issues in Pikangikum First Nation are the same now as 39 years ago, Chief Paddy Peters said Monday. “I was elected into office (for) my first term as chief when I was 30 years old,” he said in an interview via Zoom. “And what we’re going through […]

A heat warning for the Rainy River District remains in effect until tomorrow night. High persistent heat poses risks for those not used to it, according to Environment Canada, as well as older adults, infants and young children and those with chronic illnesses. During a heat warning, be sure to […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

The risk for wildland fires across most of Northwestern Ontario has shot up to the high range, as the region appears to have rapidly dried out following a wetter than normal April, provincial officials warn. “The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is advising the public that forested areas are very […]

From the Government of Ontario
Press release

TORONTO — Spring has arrived and in honor of Mother’s Day Ontario is offering Canadian residents the opportunity to fish for free across Ontario this weekend, May 10 and 11. “Fishing is a timeless Ontario tradition that brings people together. Whether you’re an experienced angler or casting a line for […]

By Natasha Bulowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s National Observer

Spring flooding is putting First Nations in northern Ontario at risk and reigniting calls for relocation. Kashechewan First Nation and Fort Albany First Nation — located on the shores of James Bay — both declared states of emergency last week and have been evacuating community members. People are forced to […]

By Mike Stimpson,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

THUNDER BAY — Patty Hajdu, the Liberal MP for Thunder Bay–Superior North, says constituents “were extremely impressed” by how Prime Minister Mark Carney stood up for Canadian sovereignty Monday in Washington, D.C. The public parts of Carney’s trip to the U.S. capital included a news conference at the White House and remarks to news […]