Rick Garrick - Wawatay News

Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and three chiefs have filed a human rights complaint after Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) issued a news release containing virulent and demeaning stereotypes about First Nations people.
“When I first saw the press release that the Thunder Bay Police made, I was just really disappointed and hurt by it, knowing Adam (Yellowhead) and his friends,” said Nibinamik Chief Johnny Yellowhead. “The way they were labeled, like fresh breath, I think that is unprofessional.”

Taykwa Tagamou is looking for employment and economic development opportunities through the development of a run-of-river hydroelectric project on New Post Creek.
“It’s a good opportunity for our people to make a difference with the hydro-electric grid,” said Taykwa Tagamou Chief Linda Job. “It’s going to bring a lot of economic and social benefits to the people here, not only our membership but also the surrounding municipalities.”

An Aug. 22 a blockade to protect sacred areas at Keys Lake, south of Grassy Narrows, was one of the highlights of the Grassy Narrows Youth Gathering.
“That lake is a spring water lake — there is a little spring water stream that goes into that lake and the water is very clear there,” said Edmond Jack, a Grassy Narrows youth who has participated in many environmental protest walks and organized his first walk at age 17.

Discussions about all-weather roads and winter roads are ramping up across Nishnawbe Aski Nation territory.
“We’ve had tons of resolutions regarding winter roads over the years, 20-30 years,” said NAN Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit during the Sept. 27 Winter Roads and All-Weather Roads First Nations Forum in Thunder Bay. “But recently, in the past three or four years, First Nations are now starting to talk all-weather roads because of the difficulties they are encountering due to shorter seasons caused by climate change, warmer weather and thinner ice.”