Latest news with #FirstNations


Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sponsored Content Honouring Indigenous Children in Hospital
Every year 140,000 kids need care and treatment at HSC Children's Hospital. At any given time, 60 per cent of them are Indigenous. Many of them come from remote and northern communities, travelling hundreds of kilometres away from their homes, their families and their cultural supports. Some may stay in the hospital for weeks or even months. That's why we're supporting the development of the Indigenous Community Healing Space. It is needed for young patients and their families, and is a priority of the HSC Children's reconciliation initiatives. In Manitoba, Indigenous children are three to five times more likely to be affected by disease and health conditions when compared to non-Indigenous children. It's a grim statistic that points to systemic challenges Indigenous populations face. This is why everyone at the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, the health care heroes at HSC Children's Hospital and the researchers at the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba are committed to ReconciliACTION, and improving health outcomes for all kids who need care at Manitoba's only children's hospital. National Indigenous History month is a time to honour the unique experiences, cultures, achievements and stories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples – like Janessa. In 2024, Children's Hospital Foundation announced Janessa as the first Champion Child from a Northern remote First Nations community. Janessa's home is in Pukatawagan and her healing journey highlights the challenges children in Manitoba's remote and isolated communities face to get specialized pediatric care. For kids like Janessa, the 2,000-sq.- ft. Indigenous Community Healing Space will include an area for traditional ceremonies, a library with Indigenous children's books and a place for visiting Elders, healers and Knowledge Keepers to share stories and help comfort kids and their families. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. The space is fully Indigenous, led by Dr. Melanie Morris along with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, other Indigenous community members as well as Indigenous leaders in our medical community. When complete, it will provide families with a culturally safe space for healing. Its design will offer a place where children and families can connect with each other and nurture their whole selves – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. In that same spirit, that's why we wanted Indigenous community members to truly see themselves at the Teddy Bears' Picnic. Last year Picnic started with Indigenous drummers and special messages from Indigenous leaders. Throughout the day, First Nations dancers, Inuit throat singers and Métis fiddlers took centre stage to entertain and educate children and families. On top of this, Indigenous Elders offered teachings all day long inside a teepee, further bridging connections. We hope that the community joins us again for Picnic on September 7 at Assiniboine Park. To help us continue supporting areas of need like the Indigenous Community Healing Space, please donate at Learn more about our Reconciliation efforts at


Hamilton Spectator
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Doug Ford apologizes over ‘hat in hand' comment about First Nations
TORONTO - Ontario Premier Doug Ford has apologized for saying First Nations should not keep coming 'hat in hand' to the government if they say no to mining projects, a comment many First Nation leaders called racist. Ford delivered that apology in a meeting at Queen's Park Thursday to several dozen chiefs who are part of the Anishinabek Nation. 'I get pretty passionate and I just want to sincerely apologize for my words, not only is it for all the chiefs in that room, but for all First Nations,' Ford said as he spoke to Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige after the meeting. On Wednesday, Ford said he was willing to give First Nations whatever they wanted for support to develop mines, but that came with a warning. 'There's going to be a point that you can't just keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government, you've got to be able to take care of yourselves,' Ford said. 'And when you literally have gold mines, nickel mines, every type of critical mineral that the world wants, and you're saying, 'No, no, I don't want to touch that, by the way, give me money' — not going to happen.' Ford's government recently passed into law Bill 5, which gives cabinet the power to suspend municipal and provincial laws for chosen projects through the creation of so-called special economic zones. The premier has said the first such zone would be the Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario, which is said to be rich in critical minerals. The special economic zone law is part of an omnibus bill that the government says is needed to speed up construction of large infrastructure projects, particularly mines. Shortly after the passage of the bill into law, Anishinabek Nation asked for a meeting with the premier and Ford agreed. He was joined Thursday by Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford. All said it was a positive meeting, which came after passionate protests from First Nations at Queen's Park when Bill 5 was first introduced in mid-April. 'While there are many other rights holders in this province, our chiefs felt today that the apology was sincere,' said Debassige, whose Anishinabek Nation represents 39 First Nations across the province. 'We are looking at today as a new day going forward.' The vast majority of Ontario's 133 First Nations have spoken out against Bill 5 and see the new law as yet another example of a government trampling their rights and ignoring their concerns. Many First Nations have threatened to blockade roads, railways and mines if the bill is not repealed. 'Our First Nations within the Anishinabek Nation remain opposed to Bill 5,' Debassige said. 'The opposition remains in that of which the speed of Bill 5 was entertained and this has been communicated to the premier and to various ministers. The First Nations have spoken with the premier, have proposed ideas and solutions and the premier has made certain commitments that we're not going to speak to today.' Ford did not commit to repealing the law, but he and Rickford are planning a summer of consultations with First Nations, along with Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce. Other First Nation leaders were incredulous about Ford's apology. 'Being 'passionate' doesn't give you an excuse to express your racism,' said Alvin Fiddler, the Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations in northern Ontario, including those in the Ring of Fire region. 'If and when Doug Ford is ready to personally apologize to the people of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, we will consider it. If the premier is sincere with his apology, he needs to show it, not just say it.' Ford has said the new law is a tool in the fight against U.S President Donald Trump's ongoing trade war. Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government has proposed legislation that is similar in many ways to Ontario's law. That, too, has prompted anger from First Nations, who gathered en masse earlier this week in Ottawa to voice their concerns. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025.


Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Why is Ontario Premier Doug Ford apologising to First Nation Ministers? Watch
Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued an apology for his controversial remarks after meeting with First Nations chiefs on Bill had warned that First Nations cannot 'keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government' if they oppose mining or other resource projects – comments Indigenous leaders condemned as Premier met on June 19 with chiefs from the Anishinabek Nation, which represents 39 of Ontario's 133 First Nations chiefs, to discuss his government's contentious legislation to speed up resource projects, known as Bill the previously scheduled meeting at Queen's Park was overshadowed by comments the Premier had made a day earlier. Show more Show less


CTV News
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Two nations paddle event returns
Northern Ontario Watch Wikwemikong and Six Nations tourism will reunite for the two nations cultural experience on Manitoulin Island starting Thursday.


Malaysian Reserve
9 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Artemis Gold Announces Management Changes
TSXV: ARTG VANCOUVER, BC, June 19, 2025 /CNW/ – Artemis Gold Inc. (TSXV: ARTG) ('Artemis Gold' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce the following management changes: Mr. Dale Andres has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company, effective June 23, 2025. Mr. Andres has been a non-executive director of the Company since May 9, 2023. Mr. Andres is a seasoned mining executive with more than 30 years of international experience in the resource industry, most recently serving as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Gatos Silver, Inc. until its recent acquisition for US$970 million. Prior to this, Mr. Andres enjoyed a distinguished career of increasing executive responsibility within Teck Resources Limited including serving as Senior Vice President, Base Metals, Senior Vice President, Copper, and Vice President, Gold and International Mining. Mr. Andres holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering from Queen's University, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University. Mr. Steven Dean, founder of the Company, will continue with the Company as Executive Chair and Director. Mr. Jeremy Langford will continue with the Company as President, now with a sole focus on business growth, asset optimization, and development. Executive Chair Steven Dean commented: 'We know Dale well not only as a non-executive director of the Company but also for his very successful career with Teck Resources rising to having responsibility for its base metal business, as well as his exemplary job in creating shareholder value and ultimately realizing a premium through the sale of Gatos Silver. 'Artemis Gold has achieved rapid growth and is expected to continue that pace with the next step focussed on optimizing the design and cost estimate for the Phase 2 expansion, with an expected investment decision by the Board later this year. Having Dale and Jeremy working as a team provides broader and even greater management bench strength which will allow for the contemporaneous optimization of Blackwater Phase 1 operations and the execution of the Phase 2 expansion.' Incoming CEO Dale Andres said: 'I am excited to be joining Artemis Gold as CEO and look forward to working closely with Jeremy and the rest of our outstanding management team, along with our First Nations partners and stakeholders. With one of the largest gold deposits in Canada, Artemis Gold is well positioned to drive additional value and has one of the most successful and experienced precious metals operating and development teams in the industry globally.' Artemis Gold President Jeremy Langford commented: 'Dale's addition to our company and team is for me very exciting. This change allows the development team to focus on optimizing the Phase 1 design while in parallel fast tracking the design and execution of Phase 2 of Blackwater. 'Our disciplined approach to designing, developing, commissioning, operating and expanding at the level we have demonstrated to date demands broader expertise and a proven pedigree of success. Dale brings all this to our company and much more and is a critical addition to our next phase of growth.' About Artemis Gold Artemis Gold is a well-financed, growth-oriented gold and silver producer and development company with a strong financial capacity aimed at creating shareholder value through the identification, acquisition, and development of gold properties in mining-friendly jurisdictions. The Company's current focus is the Blackwater Mine in central British Columbia approximately 160km southwest of Prince George and 450km northeast of Vancouver. The first gold and silver pour at Blackwater was achieved in January 2025 and commercial production was declared on May 1, 2025. Artemis Gold trades on the TSX-V under the symbol ARTG and the OTCQX under the symbol ARGTF. For more information visit On behalf of the Board of Directors Steven DeanExecutive Chair+1 604 558 1107 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements. In certain cases, forward-looking statements and information can be identified using forward-looking terminology such as 'may', 'will', 'expect', 'intend', 'estimate', 'anticipate', 'believe', 'continue', 'plans', 'potential', 'is/are likely to' or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are made as of the date of this press release and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding strategy, plans, future financial and operating performance of the Blackwater Mine; the contribution of the mine to the economy; opinions of the Province of British Columbia regarding the mine and the region; agreements and relationships with Indigenous partners; the future of mining in British Columbia; the plans of the Company with respect to the next phase of expansion, including timing of any investment decisions, construction, site preparation, consultation with indigenous groups, and other plans and expectations of the Company with respect to the mine, future production and anticipated timing of expansion works. These forward-looking statements represent management's current beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events and operating performance, which are based on information currently available to management, management's historical experience, perception of trends and current business conditions, expected future developments and other factors which management considers appropriate. Such forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results may vary. Important risks and other factors that may cause actual results to vary include, without limitation: risks related to ability of the Company to accomplish its plans and objectives with respect to the operations and expansion of the Blackwater Mine within the expected timing or at all, the timing and receipt of certain required approvals, changes in commodity prices, changes in interest and currency exchange rates, litigation risks, risks inherent in mineral resource and mineral reserves estimates and results, risks inherent in exploration and development activities, changes in mining or expansion plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors, unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications, cost escalation, unavailability of materials, equipment or third party contractors, delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances, job action, and unanticipated events related to heath, safety and environmental matters), changes in governmental regulation of mining operations, political risk, social unrest, changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets, and other risks related to the ability of the Company to proceed with its plans for the Mine and other risks set out in the Company's most recent MD&A, which is available on the Company's website at and on SEDAR+ at In making the forward-looking statements in this press release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, the assumptions that: (1) market fundamentals will result in sustained mineral demand and prices; (2) any necessary approvals and consents in connection with the operations and expansion of the Mine will be obtained; (3) financing for the continued operation of the Blackwater Mine and future expansion activities will continue to be available on terms suitable to the Company; (4) sustained commodity prices will continue to make the Mine economically viable; and (5) there will not be any unfavourable changes to the economic, political, permitting and legal climate in which the Company operates. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could affect the Company and may cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause the actual results or performance by the Company to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on the results of operations or the financial condition of the Company. Investors should therefore not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation and expressly disclaims any obligation to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.