More than 100 knowledge holders from Indigenous nations across Canada, the U.S. and Australia gathered in syilx territories in September for a cultural burning summit. Story and photos from Aaron Hemens, first published by our friends at @indiginews.bsky.social. 🔥 thenarwhal.ca/indigenous-c...

From mugs to prints, masks and blankets — the exhibition "NDN Giver" celebrates the ancient tradition of potlatching. "So much more responsibility comes from something that’s gifted at a potlatch, no matter how big or how small or how grand something may be." indiginews.com/arts/ndn-giv...

The Okanagan Indian Band has received unanimous support from Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs in its push to protect the nation’s watersheds from a gold mining operation. “These areas ... hold deep cultural, spiritual, and ecological importance for the syilx people." indiginews.com/news/ubcic-s...

Sitting among a group of fellow Indigenous fire keepers in syilx homelands, Rachel Cavanagh spoke about cultural burns where she is from in “Australia.” “Ceremony,” she said, “has such a huge part to play in implementing fire.” Story by Aaron Hemens indiginews.com/okanagan/cul...

After a 14-year saga, Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council has brought B.C.'s first grid-scale solar project online 💡 and they're already thinking bigger. A collaboration with @indiginews.bsky.social, written by @zoeyunker.bsky.social with photos by Aaron Hemens. thenarwhal.ca/nlakapamux-q...

Built atop a reclaimed tailings pond near the town of “Logan Lake,” the project’s 39,000 solar panels span the equivalent of around 80 football fields, capturing enough sunlight to power 2,400 homes annually. By Zoë Yunker, co-published with @thenarwhal.ca ☀️ indiginews.com/features/ins...

The sound of bike tires crunched over gravel as a group of children and Youth set off toward Wíwḵ’em village in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh — their first stop on an annual Rez Ride. Story by Amy Romer 🚲 indiginews.com/sports/skwxw...

Land defenders who opposed CGL pipeline avoid jail time as judge acknowledges ‘legacy of colonization’ Reprinted from @thetyee.ca indiginews.com/news/land-de...

A man has been charged with murder after the remains of Cree and Nakoda 14-year-old Achakapis (Samuel Bird) were found outside “Edmonton,” police announced today. indiginews.com/news/samuel-...

Gino Odjick, the celebrated Algonquin hockey left winger from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation who died nearly three years ago, is being remembered in a new biography. Story by @dionnealyza.bsky.social 🏒 indiginews.com/sports/book-...

An Elder from Tla’amin Nation hopes more children who died at the former St. Augustine's residential "school" can be identified, so their communities can find closure and healing. Story by Abby Francis. indiginews.com/features/st-...

Often seen as a ‘nuisance’ species to be trapped and removed, stunx — beaver in nsyilxcən — may be a key to restoring wetlands and watersheds amidst deforestation and climate change. Story by Aaron Hemens indiginews.com/news/across-...

Police have confirmed that Achakapis (Samuel Bird) is presumed dead — and identified a specific area outside “Edmonton” where the body is believed to be. "His soul cannot rest while his body is kept from the land and our family." indiginews.com/news/police-...

As a child, filmmaker Joey Clift recalls being “dragged” to powwows by his insistent mother — even though he would have rather stayed home. That experience is the inspiration behind a new animated comedic short film, 'Pow!,' that’s set to screen at VIFF on Oct. 12. indiginews.com/arts/animate...

Members of Neskonlith Indian Band are becoming increasingly frustrated with their leaders, after a councillor was removed from office over alleged election fraud and two staff people were fired. Story by Aaron Hemens. indiginews.com/features/nes...

In a ceremony held at the shíshálh Nation Hall, survivors were honoured with graduation certificates recognizing their life experiences as equivalent to secondary school completion. "We see you, and we see how hard you worked" indiginews.com/features/shi...

Two artists from different cultures have come together to create a project that tells the story of the Wolf Clan at Yuquot on Nootka Island — a place of first contact with Europeans and Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. Story via Ha-Shilth-Sa 🌊 indiginews.com/arts/nuu-cha...

“We call them the ‘sea wolf’ because they watch the waters for us ... If something goes wrong, the first ones to be affected are the orcas.” Story reprinted from @nationalobserver.com indiginews.com/news/snuneyw...

y̓ilmixʷm simo Robert Louie has been recognized with the province’s highest honour for his decades of work in Indigenous governance and business. "His lifetime of service has inspired a national movement towards Indigenous equity and reconciliation." indiginews.com/news/robert-...

In their reasons for decision, ministers said they were approving the new LNG project despite not receiving consent from nearly half of the First Nations who participated in the environmental assessment process. Story reprinted from @thenarwhal.ca indiginews.com/news/provinc...

Thirty new homes being built at a former Tla’amin village represent a homecoming for the nation, after a long journey to regain the site. "Our ancestors used to build their houses right along the same river. It’s very special for us to go back home to the same spot.” indiginews.com/news/new-hou...

After declaring a state of emergency over the toxic drug crisis in April, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation will open a new Indigenous-led treatment facility later this year. "Right now this is the most important battle — the toxic drug crisis, the mental health of our nation." indiginews.com/news/tsilhqo...

A man who had been acting as a spiritual healer has been temporarily banned from his practice, after he was convicted of assaulting a syilx woman during a session in 2022. "He broke with our cultural protocols and misused traditions to do harm." indiginews.com/news/judge-d...

In the film, three syilx Animal People — snk̓lip (coyote), skmxist (black bear) and mlqnups (golden eagle) — gather out on the land, where they talk amongst themselves about the changes they’ve observed over time. Story by Aaron Hemens indiginews.com/arts/theatre...

In a joint statement, Líl̓wat and N’Quatqua said "B.C's" decision regarding the short-term closure of Pipi7íyekw runs "directly counter to UNDRIP." "The province’s imposed dates are a fraction of the schedule advanced by our nations." indiginews.com/features/nat...

A new exhibition at the Museum of Vancouver showcases a new way forward with the Tŝilhqot’in Nation after the long-awaited return of their cultural belongings. Story by @dionnealyza.bsky.social indiginews.com/arts/at-mov-...

With court win, Quw’utsun Nation sees a ‘spiritual homecoming’ after 150 years After landmark ruling grants ‘Vancouver Island’ First Nations title to Tl’uqtinus summer village and nearby fishing rights, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm see it as a ‘disheartening’ betrayal indiginews.com/news/quwutsu...

In divisive political times, we need each other more than ever Despite an imaginary line dividing us, ‘Canadians’ and ‘Americans’ are part of one human family — and we have more in common than we do differences

At Penticton Indian Band, researchers work to find remedy for bighorn sheep disease The Okanagan population of yilíkʷlxkn has been depleted by up to 70 per cent by mange over two decades — a year-long project aims to find a drug to treat it indiginews.com/news/pib-res...

B.C. Supreme Court dismisses Xatśūll First Nation’s challenge to Mount Polley mine expansion The Secwépemc community was trying to stop the company from increasing the height of its tailings storage dam, which collapsed in 2014 indiginews.com/news/mount-p...

In Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, legal challenge fails to stop contentious floatel — but affirms women’s rights Court rejects judicial review challenge by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Elder and Youth. But as Woodfibre LNG applies for a second cruise-ship work camp, fears of gender-based violence remain high shorturl.at/aDeCf

Kwakwaka’wakw artist Ernest Puglas explains how carving saved his life: ‘This is powerful’ As a new welcome pole is raised on Klahoose, Homalco and Tla’amin territories, its maker describes how, through art, ‘I have recreated myself’ indiginews.com/arts/kwakwak...

‘Please only take what you need’: ONA warns of low sockeye returns, asks fishers to limit catch sc̓win are being blocked and put at risk by warm river conditions, says fisheries manager, causing concern of a ‘catastrophic loss’ of the salmon run indiginews.com/news/please-...

Anti-TMX land defenders’ appeal dismissed, court finds judge ‘did not err’ in trial The province’s highest court has denied a retrial for three people who opposed the pipeline’s development in Secwépemcúl’ecw indiginews.com/news/anti-tm...

‘Truly amazing and really emotional’: Historic mortuary poles returned to Tla’amin Nation after decades-long search The nation celebrated the repatriation during the opening of a new cultural centre, part of a wider reclamation for the community indiginews.com/arts/histori...

Tiny house for matriarch opposing PRGT arrives in Gitxsan Lax’yip from ‘Victoria’ Volunteer supporters built the home for Maas Gwitkunuxws Teresa Brown, who has been camping in the path of the controversial pipeline in northern ‘B.C.’ indiginews.com/news/tiny-ho... Story @mikegraeme.bsky.social

“We know from past experience that many reports end up sitting on the shelf, said Jennifer Charlesworth, Representative for Children and Youth. "We owe it to Colby not to look away.” My latest for @indiginews.bsky.social.

One year after scathing report into 11-year-old’s death, watchdog says not enough has changed RCY says child welfare system has made some improvements — but not enough — after investigation into death of Indigenous boy in ‘B.C.’ foster home indiginews.com/news/dont-lo...

On wheels or horseback, journey to the Williams Lake Stampede fosters unity: ‘Everybody comes together’ The 22nd annual Tŝilhqot’in ride to the stampede was larger than ever — bringing communities together along the way indiginews.com/features/on-...

In the shadow of kiʔláwnaʔ’s housing boom, fragile ecosystems depend on those fighting to save them "People need to really start thinking about the future of their grandkids, their great grandkids." Story by @ainsliecruickshank.bsky.social co-pub with @thenarwhal.ca indiginews.com/features/in-...

For this collaboration with @indiginews.bsky.social, reporter @ainsliecruickshank.bsky.social went to Kelowna to find out if it’s possible to prioritize housing — and also protect sensitive ecosystems thenarwhal.ca/bc-housing-a...

At an event in sntsk’il’ntən, governments announced $8.3 million to help communities identify, plan and improve wildlife corridors. "We’re going to create space for our animals." Story by Ainslie Cruickshank and Aaron Hemens indiginews.com/news/b-c-fed...

At an event in sntsk’il’ntən, governments announced $8.3 million to help plan and improve wildlife corridors. That includes a project in Kelowna, @ainsliecruickshank.bsky.social and Aaron Hemens report as part of a collaboration with @indiginews.bsky.social thenarwhal.ca/bc-ecologica...

Łingít, Haida and Híɫzaqv people have gathered haaw da.aa and kelp to share, trade and gift. Now, grey whales have joined the harvest. Their presence brings a new pressure — one that both humans/non-humans are learning to navigate. Writes @amyromer.bsky.social, in collab w/ @indiginews.bsky.social

Second annual Two-Spirit Powwow celebrates stamiyaʔ people: ‘It’s taken us generations to get here’ The event in kiʔláwnaʔ on June 28 featured gender-inclusive categories, with the goal to uplift 2SLGBTQ+ kin indiginews.com/news/second-...

An unprecedented surge of the massive marine mammals in ‘Alaskan’ waters has changed how humans interact with a vital yaaw fishery indiginews.com/features/lin... This story is co-published with High Country News.

35 years after the so-called ‘Oka Crisis,’ Kanien’kehá:ka activist hasn’t seen much progress from ‘Canada’ Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel reflects on the 1990 Mohawk resistance in her recent book ‘When the Pine Needles Fall: Indigenous Acts of Resistance’ indiginews.com/features/kat...

During ceremony at nʕaylintn, syilx people call their salmon relatives home ‘That’s who we are — we’re the salmon people,’ says syilx Nation’s tustens Roger Hall at June 25 gathering indiginews.com/news/during-...

At bi-weekly Secwepemctsín meetings, Elders nurture and expand the language Working together, a group of Kyé7es from different communities gathered in Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc to create new words, discuss grammar and much more indiginews.com/features/sec...

As politicians fast-track extraction, Coast Salish leaders stress economic vision: ‘We need to be in these rooms’ indiginews.com/news/coast-s...